Saints

[Yeznik]

Saint Gregory of Narek is one of the most revered Saints of the Armenian Church. His book of prayer is called - Speaking with God from the Depths of the Heart. In Armenian the prayer book is called by his name - Narek. The following is a link to his prayer book in English online.
His prayers are very heartfelt and indepth, in which on a single prayer contains many complexites of the soul and the souls neccesity for its Master.

http://www.stgregoryofnarek.am/

[Yeznik]

St. Nerses was born in 1102, his father being Prince Abirad and his grandfather, the great church writer, Krikor Makisdros. He studied under Stepanos Vartabed in Garmir (Red) Monastery and was ordained at 18 years of age by his brother, Catholicos Krikor III Balavouni in the City of Hromgla. By the age of thirty, he was consecrated a bishop. He served as the personal aide and right hand man to his brother, the Catholicos, whom he succeeded in 1166.

Merely to list all St. Nerses' works would be a tedious task. He is most famous for his 'General Epistle' which was directed to the Armenian people, eloquently guiding them in their faith, for his many letters, orations, poems, such as "Lament for Edessa," a moving masterpiece on the destruction of that city, commentaries and ecclesiastical studies. A great musician as well as writer and poet, St. Nerses enriched the Book of Hours with many songs and the Book of Sharagans with a wealth of sacred hymns, adding almost a third to their number. His book, Jesus, Son is used by devout Armenians and is second only to Nareg. St. Nerses was an ecumenist as well as an astute theologian and beloved leader. The title 'graceful' was previously an educational rank but Nerses added a new dimension to that title and is remembered for his loving nature and paternal care of his flock, the members of the Armenian Church. Along with St. Gregory of Nareg, he is a pillar of Armenian literature, especially of the Silver Age. St. Nerses is perhaps the most beloved of all Armenian saints and is respected not only nationally but also universally. His final resting-place has been a place of pilgrimage for all Christians without distinction who referred to him as "Lord Nerses." The following are a few lines from his most famous church songs.
Aravod Looso--From the Morning Service, a song written with each stanza following the alphabetical order of the Armenian alphabet and dedicated to the Holy Trinity, a few stanzas must suffice here: Thou morn of light,
Sun of Righteousness
Shine unto my soul,
Thou from the Father flowing,
Let flow from my soul
Words, pleasing to Thee.
Unity Triune,
Keeper of all Things,
Have mercy on me;
Arise, Lord, and help;
Rouse me from slumbering,
With angels to wake.
Thy name, Christ, is Love;
Make soft with Thy love
This my heart of stone;
By Thine own pity,
By Thine own mercy,
Make me live again. NorasdeghzyaI--This hymn is dedicated to the Resurrection of our Lord. First and last stanzas: God the Word from naught created. In the beginning the heaven of heavens,
And the heavenly hosts incorporeal of angelic beings rational
The four elements also of sense, each other repelling and attracting
By which forever is glorified the ineffable Holy Trinity.
Ye sons of Zion, haste and rise, tidings of light the Bride to bring,
Saying to her, thy Bridegroom risen hath conquered death with power divine,
And comes with glory thee to crown, meet thou Him in thine adornments.
Sing a new song to Him who rose,
First fruits of life of them that sleep

http://www.hyeetch.nareg.com.au/religion/feasts_p2.html

[Yeznik]

Another one of our Saints is Saint John Chrysostom. During his exile in Armenia, he contributed the wealth of his knowledge with the Armenians.

[Yeznik]

Icon styled painting of Saint Gregory of Narek.

http://www.armenianartwork.com/paintings/Armen26.html

[Yeznik]

Saints & Fathers of the Syriac Orthodox Church

http://sor.cua.edu/Personage/Saints.html

[Marjorie]

Thou morn of light,
Sun of Righteousness
Shine unto my soul,
Thou from the Father flowing,
Let flow from my soul
Words, pleasing to Thee.
Unity Triune,
Keeper of all Things,
Have mercy on me;
Arise, Lord, and help;
Rouse me from slumbering,
With angels to wake.
Thy name, Christ, is Love;
Make soft with Thy love
This my heart of stone;
By Thine own pity,
By Thine own mercy,
Make me live again.
NorasdeghzyaI--This hymn is dedicated to the Resurrection of our Lord. First and last stanzas: God the Word from naught created. In the beginning the heaven of heavens,

And the heavenly hosts incorporeal of angelic beings rational
The four elements also of sense, each other repelling and attracting
By which forever is glorified the ineffable Holy Trinity.
Ye sons of Zion, haste and rise, tidings of light the Bride to bring,
Saying to her, thy Bridegroom risen hath conquered death with power divine,
And comes with glory thee to crown, meet thou Him in thine adornments.
Sing a new song to Him who rose,
First fruits of life of them that sleep

http://www.hyeetch.nareg.com.au/religion/feasts_p2.html

Thank you so much for this! How beautiful! :crosseo:

In IC XC,
Marjorie