The first film telling about prominent Medieval Armenian monk, poet, and mystical philosopher Grigor Narekatsi will be on the big screen in Yerevan on Wednesday; authors say the main purpose is to introduce the canonized Armenian Saint, a man of God, to the whole world and present him as “Ecumenical Teacher [vardapet]”.

The 90-minute feature film titled Shepherd (or Pastor) has been produced on the initiative of leader of Armenian Katoghikeh (cathedral) Church Archbishop Rafayel Minasyan and due to the efforts of a number of filmmakers.

“The idea of producing such a film was born from the desire to proclaim Narekatsi Ecumenical Teacher, just like years ago Saint Nerses Shnorhalli was recognized as such (this is an order by which three of the biggest Christian churches – orthodox, apostolic, and catholic – recognize the given saint as Ecumenical Teacher ),” says the archbishop adding that “Narekatsi to us as Armenians does not need introduction, because in all Armenian families he lives as a poet, pastor, theologian; but we want the whole world, all people [not only clergymen] to know Narekatsi”.

Narekatsi (around 951-1003), considered to be a leading figure of Armenian renaissance, is the author of mystical interpretation on the Song of Songs (977) and numerous poetic writings. Narekatsi's poetry is deeply biblical, penetrated with images, themes and realities of sacred history. The prayers of St. Gregory of Narek have long been recognized as gems of Christian literature. He called his book an “encyclopedia of prayer for all nations.”

His masterpiece is the 95-page Book of Lamentations, in which he tried to answer the question: what can one offer to God, our creator, who already has everything and knows everything better than we could ever express it? He gives a humble answer – the sighs of the heart, drawing on the exquisite potential of the Classical Armenian language to translate the pure sighs of the broken and contrite heart into an offering of words pleasing to God.

He speaks about the grief and pain, doubts and convictions, sins and repenting of humanity, striving for perfection through self-condemnation and self-purification. The result is an edifice of faith for the ages, unique in Christian literature for its rich imagery, its subtle theology, its Biblical erudition, and the sincere immediacy of its communication with God. (People have called his book simply Narek and attribute great healing power to it). The book has been translated into many languages.

The film featuring Narekatsi’s life has been directed and produced by Artak Avdalyan who says that it doesn’t have a plot typical of classic films, because it is based on folklore.

“As there is very little information about Narekatsi, whereas people remember and preserve many folk tales, we tried to present Narekatsi based on those tales,” says Avdalyan, adding that the film did not have a definite budget, there weren’t mighty sponsors and benefactors involved and no big investments made.

Part of the two-year shooting was done in Turkey, right at the caves where Narekatsi and other monks led ascetic lives, and the rest in modern-day Armenia.

Narekatsi is embodied by actor Artur Karapetyan, who almost gave up the role for the challenging complexity of the character he had to personate.

“Narekatsi was above everything, higher than everything, and no simple mortal can possibly personify his genius to the utmost,” says the actor.

The film has been translated into Italian and will soon have its English version ready as well. Yerevan’s Moscow cinema will present it to the audience during a week starting Wednesday. It will further be shown in the USA, Lebanon and a number of European countries.