Felt moved today to post this as the Armenians have had a rough go of it for centuries, even though their country was the very first to convert to Christianity in 301 A.D. Think of that: your country has been Christian for 1,723 years!

In some circles, even bringing up the fact that between 1890 and 1909, some 1,000,000 to 1,800,000 Christian Armenians were murdered for their faith brings great approbation and even threats of violence, yet the fact remains the Armenians were victims of a genocide.

Gregory of Narek

He is best known for his Book of Lamentations, a significant piece of mystical literature which serves as a confessional prayer book in many Armenian religious households. His works have inspired many Armenian literary figures and influenced Armenian literature in general throughout the ages.

He lived in the Kingdom of Vaspurakan, a medieval Armenian kingdom, which is "notable for the high cultural level that it achieved." Vaspurakan, centered around Lake Van, is a region described by Richard Hovannisian as "the cradle of Armenian civilization".[Wiki]

Thanks for sharing, I knew nothing of this saint.

I will look him up tonight. Thank you again, BNA!