The Doctor of Mercy

Contents

Acknowledgments xi
Abbreviations xv
Armenian Transliteration xvi
Introduction xvii
Reading St. Gregory in Translation xxi
Chapter One: The Advent of Christianity in Armenia 1
The Origins of Armenian Writing and Literature 9
Armenia's Isolation 11
Restoration of Autonomy 17
Chapter Two: The Political and Theological Background 19
The Kingdom of Vaspurakan 19
The Theological Background 25
The Julianist Controversy 34
The T'ondrakean Movement 42
Monasticism in Armenia 46
Chapter Three: The Monastery and School of Narek 56
The Monastery of Narek 56
The School of Narek 58
Gregory's Father: Khosrov Andzewats'i 59
Gregory's Abbot and Teacher: Anania of Narek 69
The Cornerstones of Narekavank' 81
Chapter Four: Gregory's Life and Prose Works 83
Gregory's Life and Legends 83
The Prose Works 90
The Commentary on the Song of Songs 91
The Encomia 107
Advice on the Orthodox Faith and the Pure and Virtuous Life 113
Against the T'ondrakeans 115
Chapter Five: A New Song to the Lord: Gregory's Hymns and Poetry 120
Hymns and Liturgical Poetry 120
The Book of Lamentation 126
A Cathedral of Words 126
The Journey to God 133
Chapter Six: Gregory's Theology of Sin and Penance 136
Uncountable Sins 138
Prayer of Tears 146
Millennial Concerns 154
Chapter Seven: Baptism, Eucharist, and the Virtuous Life 157
A Sacramental Vision 157
Faith, Hope, Love, Baptism 159
The Centrality of the Eucharist 175
The Church Universal 179
Chapter Eight: Theosis and the Doctrine of God 182
The Trinitarian God 185
The Motherhood of God 187
Gregory's Christology 189
The Sacrament of Chrismation 198
A Mysticism of Light 200
Universalism 205
Chapter Nine: Gregory's Devotion to Mary 209
The Daughter of Eve 210
Mary's Perpetual Virginity and Assumption 220
Mary Immaculate 222
Chapter Ten: From Narek to Rome and Beyond 232
Becoming a Doctor 232
Gregory and the Contemporary World 237
Compline 243
Index 245