Mystic, monk and poet – meet the newest Doctor of the Church (Catholic/Armenian Caucus)

cna ^ | February 24, 2015 | Kevin Jones and Ann Schneible

[NRx]

"When a church enters communion with Rome, as did part of the Armenian church, the Holy See accepts as valid all of its spiritual and theological patrimony, including canonizations, so long as there is no explicit contradiction with Catholic doctrine."

Fair enough. Of course the Armenian Apostolic Church has not entered into communion with the Holy See. The Armenian Catholic Church is an 18th century Roman invention. But again who Rome chooses to venerate as a saint is Rome's business.

"Also, it appears, St. Gregory was persecuted in life for defending the Council of Chalcedon, which would also count in his favour."

Really? I haven't seen anything along those lines. Do you have a source?

[BlatherNaut]

From “The Byzantine Forum”:

http://www.byzcath.org/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/410745/Re:_St._Gregory_of_Narek_-_Doc

“A friend has sent me a convincing explanation.

When a church enters communion with Rome, as did part of the Armenian church, the Holy See accepts as valid all of its spiritual and theological patrimony, including canonizations, so long as there is no explicit contradiction with Catholic doctrine.”

This is what happened when the Armenian Catholic Church was formed, regarding St. Gregory and his work.

It would also explain the other cases mentioned in this thread.

“Also, it appears, St. Gregory was persecuted in life for defending the Council of Chalcedon, which would also count in his favour.

It sounds convincing to me! Any one disagree?”

---

“It is probably highly unlikely that St Gregory of Narek defended the Council of Chalcedon - possible, but highly improbable.”

[NRx]

Barring a reliable source, I think the claim to his Chalcedonian sympathies is bogus. He would not be venerated as a saint by the Armenian Church if he had been defending a theological formula they had condemned. This sounds like something cooked up in an effort to explain why Catholics were being allowed to venerate a schismatic/heretic as a saint. Especially in the years before V-II that sort of thing would have raised a lot of eyebrows.

[BlatherNaut]

You make excellent points.

[Jim Noble]

who died on the Libyan beach just last week with the Most Holy Name of Jesus on their lips, we cannot permit sentimentality to subvert truth...

Here's the truth, direct from the Way, the Truth and the Life.

[Religion Moderator]

I added Armenian to the caucus to avoid having to make it an open RF thread. If you would prefer it be opened, let me know.

[piusv]

This sounds like something cooked up in an effort to explain why Catholics were being allowed to venerate a schismatic/heretic as a saint. Especially in the years before V-II that sort of thing would have raised a lot of eyebrows.

I think you may be on to something here. It is my understanding that Gregory of Narek was not included in the Roman Martyrology until 2005. Prior to VII, he is not to be found in the Roman Martyrology of the Catholic Church.

[BlatherNaut]

It is my understanding that Gregory of Narek was not included in the Roman Martyrology until 2005.

"The cult of St. Gregory of Narek will be marked on 27 February in the Roman Martyrology. He will be defined as “monk, doctor of the Armenians, distinguished for his writings and mystic science”."

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/gregorio-gregory-narek-39333/

[piusv]

Is this a recent addition/change to Feb 27? I was under the impression that there was an October 13th date.

[BlatherNaut]

Is this a recent addition/change to Feb 27? I was under the impression that there was an October 13th date.

I don't have a post-Vatican II martyrology to consult. The article indicates 27 Feb as the date going forward.

[piusv]

I just did some research and I think the October date I saw online was wrong. I just found the Feb 27th date in the 2005 Roman Martyrology.

[piusv]

Just did some more research. It looks like the October 13th date is the date for the Armenian Church.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Narek