ST. NAREKATSI

- Tenets of Prayer -

powerful salves for incurable wounds . . . written by the monk Gregory of Narek Monastery

The voice of a sighing heart

My heavy laden soul . . . how can I describe you?

A new book of psalms sings with urgency through me

There is no putting off the day of judgement

My lawlessness is always defeated

My sins are more numerous than the sands on the shore

A teardrop of remorse sends the entire evil platoon into retreat

What will you do, my lost soul? Where will you hide?

My iniquities outweigh Mount Ararat

Faith, that happy and favored word

I, who was broken, am restored

I long not so much for the gifts as for the Giver (Bedtime Prayer)

Three persons, one mystery, separate faces, unique and distinct

You brought joy to the gloomy heart

You were called "Shepherd," not only did You care, You sought

Great mystery, remember me, with mercy rather than legalisms

Tormented by bitter grief, I pray to You, Keeper of imperiled souls

Prayer of Healing - Hear the prayers of my embattled heart for mercy, when I cry to you, "Lord," in my time of need

Cleanse the temple of my body, the vessel of my soul

Lord, O Lord, who bears no grudges

Since I of my own will mortgaged myself to death

I continue to accuse my cursed soul - like a talking horse with a callous mouth, breaking my reins and shaking off my bit

Treat my like a physician, rather than examining me like a judge

What am I worthy to ask of you in prayer?

The ways of my life are like the waves of the sea, my soul tossing in this world upon countless, endless swells

I lay open the grief of my soul, which is not totally dead to the world, but is not fully alive to God in poetry neither especially hot, or particularly cold

Indeed this "I have sinned" is a blessed phrase for the heart set on hope

I have all earthly ills and thus can serve as an emissary offering prayers for the whole world (Prayer for protection from illness of body and spirit)

You remain in all things infinite and unexaminable, good in all things, having no part in the wrath of darkness

Two impulses in one heart, one of doubtful hope, the other of certain doom

The soul's every movement is a reminder of God

O totally generous God, whose patience never ends, hear me though I cause you bitterness

Let the perfume, the bouquet of this book of confessions be redoubled and affect multitudes

Here is my profession of faith - the creed of the co-existing Holy Trinity, the rule of life and grace of salvation

How can our dances and songs of joy do honor to even one drop of your goodness?

No matter how great the mounting debt of my sins, the saving grace of your trials is greater by far

Melt the ice of despair

The spiritual life that liberates those born into the light through our Lord Jesus in baptism

I am a living book, a scroll listing lamentations, moaning and woe

Hear the sound of my sighs and the terror of imagined perils to come

Before the dawning of the uneclipsed rays of Your glorious mercy, sins melt away

Lord God of compassion, salvation and mercy, remember me, when You come with Your Kingdom

To heal our spiritual wounds, You do not need ointments, nor time, nor intermediaries, nor the passing of days

Boundless God, direct son of God, light who took human form like us, but are in essence like Him who send You

Now, confess, my ruined soul with hope in your heart for salvation

Behold, you were formed like an angel . . . O fool, why did you choose to be earthbound?

Clothe me, a lawless sinner, merciful and unvengeful God, with the clothes of my former innocence

Reflections on Solomon

God of light for all, do not let iniquity rule me

I, an exact picture of mankind, here mix their sins with my own

The Psalms were songs of everything for the pure in heart: a testament of life, written for all people

The venerable voices of the prophets, foretold the liberating mission of your blessed coming

You are offered in the divine mystery and distributed in indivisiable parts by the faith of those who confess to you

A horse does not go straight without someone at the reins . . . may this book remain as a guide for repentance . . . its letters like my body, its message like my soul

On the wings of my soul I have soared through endless generations of mankind

The agents of death . . . my sinister heart, my gossiping mouth

Accept this meager confession of my innumerable sins, you who see everything in its totality

Merciful heavenly ruler, work a miracle upon me divinely

Do not let your mercies be meted out in mortal measure

Daily seek the comfort of the familiar scolding voice of the Psalms

To what end should I receive the Psalms when they condemn me in unison

Add to the Psalms passages from the Prophets

By these great signs, You have foretold the rescue of long lost sinners by the caring art of Your love

In everything and toward everything you are upright, O God

I foremost among the impious have dared to say what is unspeakable: I have boasted of my humiliations

Whoever believes in the healing prayers of this humble book, praying sincerely, I too will join with my words

Look at me, I am unworthy of good, undeserving of favor, a broken palm tree, spilled wine

Recalling Your stern wrath . . . how can the flow of tears from my eyes be dried?

In the crucible of your love I am daily refined, but never purified

Reflections on the Old Testament Patriarchs

Reflections on the Saints

Reflections on Monastic Brotherhood

Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, only you can turn the discouragement of blame into joyous praise

You visit where there is no exit. Your greatness is clear where you cure the wound of despair.

Reflections on the Armenian Church . . . that the extent of her venerable glory might be told to the nations

Author of that new and amazing law of life: to do good to those who hate

Reflections on Good Friday

The time has run out for paying my debts, so turn Your face toward me, when I am in pain, You who lighten the darkness for the disheartened.

How shall I be consoled when my hope is cut short?

Prayer to the Holy Mother of God

Prayer to the Angels

Prayer to the Holy Apostles

Root out the vile ways of this world and plant the good in me and the world

Heavenly monarch, exalted king, cause of being and shaper of the future

Strengthen me, Lord, in my courageous labors to fight the good fight

Reflections on our earthly nature

If I reach old age, having been guided by you to a worthy death, do not abandon me in my frailty

Bless and sanctify the letters of this book of lamentation . . .this book will cry out in my place, with my voice, as if it were me

A Prayer of Glory and Thanksgiving

Benedictions upon those who pray this prayer book

Stand guard over me with your heavenly host that I might fall asleep and awaken anew with the grace of your joy

A Prayer of Instruction on the wooden bell that calls us to worship, symbol of the trumpet on the day of Judgment

A Prayer of Instruction on the Holy Chrism, the light-giving oil of consecration

Eternal God, almighty, doer of good . . . who with your ingenious wisdom turns the darkness of death into morning (Prayer for Protection against Evil)

Sun of justice, ray of blessings, form of light, cherished desire

Prayer 89

Speaking with God from the Depths of the Heart

God and Lord, life and creator,
merciful, compassionate, light,
long-suffering, God who bears no grudges,
all-merciful, generous God who loves humankind,
savior, blessed, praised, glorified,
storehouse of steadfastness, bulwark of faith,
good without guile,
radiance without darkness,
pardoner of sins,
healer of wounds,
creator of unknowable mysteries,
the most approachable of the unreachables,
refuge from despair,
your name is proclaimed, Son of God,
and your Father's with you,
mighty and awesome,
and your almighty Holy Spirit
worshiped with you,
glory and thanksgiving forever.
Amen.

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