Holy Translators Remembered This Weekend

On Sunday, Oct. 9, the Armenian Church commemorates the lives and accomplishments of the Holy Translators, including: Mesrob, Yeghishe, Moses the Poet, David the Philosopher, Gregory of Narek, Nerses the Graceful.

The Feast of the Holy Translators is one of the Armenian Church’s most popular feasts. There are, in fact, two commemorations:  one is on the Thursday following the fourth Sunday after Pentecost which occurs either in June or July; and the other on the second Saturday of October. Holy Translators Day honors the churchmen who cultivated and energized our faith by means of vigorous leadership, discoveries (the alphabet), histories, prayers and music.

The October commemoration focuses on the invention of the Armenian alphabet (406) and on the lives of the founders of the alphabet, St. Mesrob Mashtots and Catholicos Sahak. Mesrob and Sahak, together with some of their students, translated the Holy Bible (Astvadzashounch, Breath of God). Schools were opened and the works of world-renowned scholars were translated into Armenian.

Also honoured on this feast day, are the many who followed in subsequent centuries, men who translated great works of theology, philosophy and history into Armenian and also wrote original masterpieces.

Indeed, the "Holy Translators" are a diverse group of brilliant writers whose dates extend as late as the 12th century and include the brilliant clergymen, St. Gregory of Narek (951-1003) and Catholicos St. Nersess Shnorhali (1102-1173).  St. Gregory of Narek (Kri-kor Na-re-gah-tzee) was one of the greatest mystic poets in the history of the Armenian Church.  He was called "mystic" because his poems focused on the wonder and mystery of his relationship with God.  

St. Gregory was born in the village of Narek on the southern shore of Lake Van.  He was educated and spent his entire life at the monastery of Narek -- taught and encouraged by his father, Bishop Khosrov; and his uncle, the famous scholar Ananias.

St. Nersess Shnorhali, the Grace-filled (Shuh-nor-ha-lee) was an outstanding church leader in Armenia’s history. Born in 1100, St. Nersess was the son of a prince, studied at the Garmir Vank, and was ordained at the age of 18. He succeeded his brother Krikor as Catholicos in 1166, by which time he had also gained fame as a writer of powerful prayers (including the 24-verse "I Confess with Faith" recited during Lent), laments, and poems and a composer of hymns.

As a Catholicos, he was a dynamic leader, renowned for his ecumenical efforts as well as his ability to unite and inspire his clergy and people. His most famous work is "The Book of Lamentations" which confesses his unworthiness before Almighty God.  This collection of poems, eventually called simply the "Narek" were considered so full of strength and life that they were placed at the side or under the pillow of anyone ailing.