Architect Momik

Momik is an outstanding architect who lived in the 13th-14th centuries. His masterpieces delight the visitors even today. He was born in the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia and was initially working as a miniaturist. He illustrated several books by the instructions of the Armenian royal court. Later he moved to Eastern Armenia. Soon Momik’s eyesight has worsened, and he dropped the miniature and took up to the architecture. Once the historiographer Stephanos Orbelyan invited 40 masons to Noravanq to see who of them would be able to sculpt one inch cross faster. The competition was won by the sixteen-year-old Momik and Stephanos Orbelyan said: "If stone obeys him like a candle (in Armenian. Momik), then let’s give him the first prize, and also the nickname Momik" Noravank, the church of Areni, numerous sculptures and khachkars (cross-stones) are designed by architect Momik, which are truly considered the masterpieces of the Armenian architecture. The legend has it that, Momik was in love with the daughter of the count Orbelyan.The count demanded Momik within three years to build such a monument that would not match to anything else in the world, so as to give his consent for their wedding. Momik built Noravanq but the perjured prince pushed him down from the second floor of the church of Noravank and killed. This, however, is just a legend. The outstanding architect died in 1333 and was buried under the southern wall of his masterpiece - the church Burtelashen of Noravank.