The Holy See announced that Pope Francis has declared Saint Gregory of Narek as Doctor of the Universal Church.
According to a communique by the Holy See Press Office, the Holy Father conferred the title on the 10thcentury Armenian monk during a meeting on Saturday with Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
Born in 950 A.D. St. Gregory of Narek is known for his poetic writings and commentaries and is revered as one of the great figures of Armenian religious thought. His book of prayers, also known as «Book of Lamentations» is widely thought to be one of his great masterpieces and still considered as a definitive piece of Armenian literature.
A Doctor of the Church is a special designation that recognizes the doctrinal insights in the teachings and writings of certain saints.
The declaration brings the number of the Doctors of the Church to 36, which include Saint Augustine, Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Therese of Lisieux and St. Hildegard of Bingen. Although his feast day is celebrated on February 27th, St. Gregory of Narek is remembered in the Armenian Church in October every year.
