February 27 Celebrated in Roman Calendar as St. Gregory of Narek Day

February 27 is celebrated in the Roman calendar as the day of remembrance of St. Gregory of Narek (Grigor Narekatsi) Saint Gregory of Narek was a 10th-century Armenian monk, poet, and mystical writer and composer.

His most well-known literary work is a book of prayers, known as the “Book of Lamentations”. It is considered a masterpiece of Armenian literature. St Gregory himself defined the work as an “encyclopedia of prayer for all nations,” and hoped that it would provide guidance in prayer for people of all walks of life.

On February 2, 2021, Pope Francis decreed that St. Gregory of Narek, Doctor of the Church, be added to the General Roman Calendar. St. Gregory of Narek is recognized as a Saint in both the Catholic Church and in the Armenian Apostolic Church, being venerated in a particular way among Catholics of the Armenian Rite.

The first liturgical commemoration of Saint Gregory of Narek was marked in 2021, with the celebration of Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.