Lithuanian translation of St. Gregory of Narek’s “Book of Lamentations” published

15 April, 2021

On the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Lithuania, the second, expanded edition of St. Gregory of Narek’s poem “Book of Lamentations” has been published, dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Lithuania.

The poem, translated by renowned Lithuanian poet and playwright Sigitas Geda, is presented to the public with a preface specially written for Lithuanian edition by Dr. Abraham Terian, Professor of Armenology at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New York, Doctor of Theological Sciences, Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, and with an afterword, written by Dr. Arusyak Tamrazyan, Senior Researcher from Matenadaran.

The book includes 12 copies of miniatures from medieval Armenian manuscripts depicting St. Gregory of Narek and individual parts of the poem provided by Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts and Holy See St. Etchmiadzin's museums and archives.

The most distinctive feature of the second edition of the Lithuanian translation of Grigor Narekatsi's poem “Book of Lamentations” is the accompanying audiobook. The poem’s chapters are read by three famous Lithuanian actors - Vladas Bagdonas, Vytautas Rumsas, and Aldona Bronislava Dausiene with accompanying Armenian medieval and spiritual music, each chapter with a separate, unique audio mastering with a total duration of around 12 hours.

The Lithuanian reader has the opportunity to listen to the audio version of the book both through the MP3 disc included in the book and through a special quick response (QR) code, placed at the end of each chapter.

The appendix of the book includes excerpts from Narekatsi's translations by famous Lithuanian writer, translator Eduardas Mieželaitis and eminent Armenologist, translator, and an honorary doctor of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia Marytė Kontrimaitė.

During the event held at the Armenian Embassy on April 15, Ambassador Tigran Mkrtchyan presented the life and work of Grigor Narekatsi, the uniqueness and universal value of the "Book of Lamentations” and added that in 2015, Pope Francis awarded Grigor Narekatsi with the title of “Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Church”, which was awarded to only 36 saints and theologians during the 1700-year history of the Catholic Church.

Ambassador Mkrtchyan mentioned that on April 25, 2018, a bronze statue of Narekatsi was unveiled in the Vatican Gardens, and on January 25, 2021, Pope Francis issued a decree which stated that February 27 from now on will be celebrated worldwide as the day of remembrance of St. Gregory of Narek. The Ambassador concluded that Grigor Narekatsi could become another and a "very strong bridge" between Armenians and Lithuanians, peoples who cherish their historical and religious heritage.

As Lithuania was the first in the world to recognize Armenia's independence 30 years ago and Armenia was the first to establish diplomatic relations with Lithuania, Ambassador Mkrtchyan noted that it was necessary to mark these anniversaries with an exceptional event, and the publication of the book, considered a sacred relic for Armenians, which is also of such value for the Catholic world now, could best express the symbolic significance of those anniversaries.

In his speech, Ambassador Mkrtchyan thanked Nijole Kuoliene, Director of the “Odile” publishing house, for taking upon itself the responsibility to publish this sacred book, as well as the Lithuanian film directors Giedrius Zubavicius and Audrius Stonys for directing the audio version of the book.

Ambassador Mkrtchyan expressed his gratitude to Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the Baltic States of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and Archbishop Petar Rajič, Apostolic Nuncio to Lithuania for supporting the realization of this publication and writing welcome forewords, as well as Gintaras Grušas, Archbishop of Vilnius and President of the Episcopal Conference of Lithuania for supporting this initiative and added that this is a brilliant example of cooperation between Armenia and Lithuania, Armenia and the Vatican, Armenian Apostolic Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

Introducing the main supporters of the initiative, Ambassador Mkrtchyan mentioned that this truly outstanding edition of the Book of Lamentations would not have been published without the support of Dr. Karapet Babayan, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Lithuania, and Mr. Araik Tunian, the Chairman of the Lithuanian Armenian Union.

Concluding his speech, the Ambassador mentioned that St. Gregory of Narek‘s messages of wisdom in his “Book of Lamentations” are universal and perpetually relevant. The Ambassador expressed hope that the Lithuanian reader will enjoy this book upon the very first touch with it.

During the event, speeches were also delivered by Archbishop Petar Rajič, Apostolic Nuncio to the Holy See in Lithuania and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Lithuania, Dr. Karapet Babajan, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Vilnius, Nijole Kuoliene, Director of the “Odile” publishing house, Giedrius Zubavičius, Director of the audiobook.

During the event, excerpts from Lithuanian readings were performed, as well as the Armenian version of the first chapter of the “Book of Lamentations”, which was also included in the audiobook.

The book will be available in bookshops in the second half of May.

Reference: On August 14, 1991, according to the agreement on mutual recognition Lithuania became the first country in the world to recognize Armenia's independence, and Armenia became the 7th country to recognize Lithuania's independence. Later on, Lithuania became the first country with whom Armenia established diplomatic relations on November 21 of that year.

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