Blessing of Blessings

Roberta Ervine received her doctorate in Middle East Languages and Cultures from Columbia University. She has studied in Jerusalem with Archbishop Norayr Bogharian, late curator of manuscripts for the Monastery of Saint James in Jerusalem, and with Bishop Guregh Kapikian, Armenian Overseer of the Status Quo in the Holy Places. While there she taught Armenian studies at both Jerusalem's Holy Translators' Academy, and the Hebrew University. Currently she is Professor of Armenian Studies at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle, New York, and concentrates on the history of the Armenians in Jerusalem, and medieval Armenian literature and spirituality.

• ContentsAcknowledgments   ixAbbreviations Used in the Notes   xIntroduction   1A Word on the General Background   2The Life and Times of Saint Gregory of Narek   13The Commentary on the Song of Songs in the Context of Gregory’s Other Writings   31Some Aspects of Saint Gregory’s Commentary on the Song of Songs   38Gregory’s Commentary in the Context of Other Commentaries on the Song of Songs   43The Text of the Song of Songs Employed by Gregory   49The Role of Scripture in Gregory’s Exegesis   52Themes in Gregory’s Commentary   55A Note on the Translation   71Commentary on Solomon’s Song of Songs eludicated by the inspired Lord Gregory, spiritual teacher, son of Bishop Khosrov   75Colophon   209Selected Bibliography   211Index of Biblical Quotations   215

By translating Gregory of Narek’s Commentary on the Song of Songs, Roberta Ervine has done a wonderful service in making the riches of Armenian Christianity available to a wider audience. . . . This book is a must for anyone interested in the history of the exegesis of the Song of Songs and is recommended for students of Armenian Christianity or monastic spirituality.The American Benedictine Review