Noravank-2009.Pdf

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Under the Joint Patronage of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Eminence Bishop Abraham Mgrdtchian, Primate of the Siunik Diocese

In memory of Dicran Hadjetian (1938-2008), benefactor of the restoration of St. Astvatsatsin Church of Noravank in 1999 and subsequent constructions and renovations within the Noravank Complex

Sponsored by: Diana Hadjetian (Canada) Project Coordinator: Hasmik Ginoyan Editor: Karen Matevosyan ™·ÒÅÌÅ´¡ 2Noravank009

ę·őĲ ŏĲŇ ŗļ ŏĶőĲŘĿŅĲŇ 10-ĲŅņĲ ŀļŇ Ňŏļő ŏĲĿ Ļ· Ń· ŏĲ Ŀ·ŕ

A Collection of Articles Dedicated to the 10th Anniversary of the Reconsecration of Noravank

ĈőĶŕĲŇ • 2009 • Yerevan ‰ÅÔß·ıë©·ı´ History

ÄÉÒÅüÅß àÂïÎù·Â·Î ¶ùÒÔ„©Å´ Bishop Abraham Mgrdtchian Í©·ı´©ÅÛ Äë·Èè The See of Siunik âı ™·ÒÅÌÅ´¡è and Noravank ˙ÒÉâó©Å´´âÒï ˚Ò·¡ during the Reign ûÅ ßÅÈ·Ô Åù ´ÅÒù of the Orbelians φ©·ı´ï ¡è üÅ© ì· £· ÌÒ áï ÂÅÔß·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ ÉÅ- An Overview ÛÅ Èïù ùÅ Òâ ı·Ò áâÒ ùÅ ÔÅÒÅõ âÒùÒÅ ßÅ Îâ- ÒïÛ ç: ¶ïÁ´Å áÅ Ò·ıß Å©Î Ôâ£ çÒ üÅÎ ÔÅÔ Ìâó ûÅ© àùâ£â Û·ı Siunik is one of the significant regions in Åßâ´Å ßâõ âı Åãáâ Ûïù âÂïÎ ù·Â· ÎÅùÅ´ Åë·È´â ÒïÛ the history of the Armenian people. ßâùè, ·Òè ÂÅÔ ßÅùÅ´ ·Ò·≠Å ùï ìÅ ßÅ ´ÅùÅ ≠Ò ÁÅ ´·ıß One of the most influential Patriarchal Ìâ ÒÅõ Ìâó ç ßâÔÒ· Â·óï ÔÅùÅ´ Åë· Èï, ùÅÒâ ı·Ò áâÒ Sees of the Armenian Church was established ùÅ ÔÅÒâó ·„ ßïÅ©´ âÒù ÒÅ ßÅ Îï, Å©óâı ·£Á âÒ ùÒï âùâ £â- here in the Middle Ages, which played a promi- ÛÅùÅ´, ùÒ ëÅ ùÅ´, ß≠Åù·ı ëÅ©ï´ ù©Å´ ¡·ıß: Í©·ı´ï ¡ï nent role in the ecclesiastical, educational and ÂÅÔ ß·ıë©Å´ ˜Å ÈÅ Ì·Ò ≠Ò ÁÅ´´â ÒïÛ ßâ ùè ùÅÂ ÌÅõ ç cultural life of the region. ˙Ò Éâó ©Å´´â Òï ï≠ ôÅ´Å ùÅ´ Ô·ü ßï Ö·Ò õ·ı ´â·ı ë©Å´ üâÔ, A glorious page in the history of Siunik ·Ò·´Û ü·Öâ ı·Ò ùâ´Ô Ò·´´ çÒ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡è: is marked by the princely House of Orbeli- 1211 ëÌÅùÅ ´ï´ äÅ ¡Å Ò©Å´ ´â Òï ÖóôÅ Ì·ÒÅõ üÅ©- ans, with Noravank as a spiritual center. The ÌÒÅ ÛÅùÅ´ ßïÅ Û©Åó ã·Ò ¡ï ßï Á·Û·Ì ÅãÅÔÅ ÖÒÌÅõ Orbelian principality was established in 1211, Í©·ı ´ï ¡·ıß üÅÎÔÅÔ ÌâÛ ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å´ ´â Òï ï≠ôÅ ´Å ùÅ´ following the liberation of Siunik by an Arme- Ô·ı´è: ™ÒÅ´Û ï≠ ôÅ´·ı ë©Å´ ìÅ ßÅ ´ÅùÅ ≠Ò ÁÅ ´è Í©·ı ´ï- nian-Georgian army headed by the Zakharids. ¡·ıß ´≠Å ´Å Ì·ÒÌâÛ ùÒ ëÅ ùÅ´, ß≠Å ù·ı ëÅ©ï´, ≠ï´Å ÒÅ- Their reign brought in an educational, cultural ÒÅ ùÅ´ ßï ´·Ò ÌâÒâó ¡·Ì: ûÅ©ÅÎ ÔÅ ´ï ÔÅ ÒÅõ ¡·ıß üÅ© and architectural revival. The See of Siunik, âùâ£â Û·ı ßïÅù ßâÔÒ· Â·óï ÔÅùÅ´ Åë· Èè` Í©·ı´©ÅÛ the only Metropolitan See in Armenia, made a ßâÔÒ· Â·óï Ô·ı ë©·ı ´è, ïÒ ùÅ Òâ ı·Ò ´âÒ á Ò·ıß´ ·ı´â ÛÅÌ ·„ great contribution to the spiritual, political, cul- ßï Å©´ Í©·ı ´ï ¡ï, Å© óâı ·£Á ûÅ©ÅÎ ÔÅ ´ï ü·Öâ ı·Ò, ¡Å £Å- tural and educational development of not only ¡Å ùÅ´, ß≠Åù·ı ëÅ©ï´, ùÒëÅ ùÅ´ ãÅÒ ÖÅÛßÅ´ ßâÁ: Siunik, but also of entire Armenia. Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ âÂïÎ ù·Â· ÎÅ ùÅ´ Åë· Èï ÂÅÔß·ı ë©Å´ A characteristic feature of the history of ˙Ò Éâó©Å´ ´â Òï ≠ÒÁÅ ´ï ÅÈÅ´ °´Å üÅÔ ù·ı ë©·ı´´â ÒïÛ the Siunik Episcopacy was that the church had ßâù´ Å©´ ç, ·Ò âùâ£â ÛÅ ùÅ´ ï≠ ôÅ´·ı ë©·ı ´´ ÅÈÅ Ìâó close ties with the ruling principality, even in „Å ˜·Ì ßâÒ °âÛÅõ ç â£âó Ôï ÒÅÂâ Ô·£ ï≠ ôÅ´Å ùÅ´ ÔÅ´ the early years of the Orbelians in Siunik. üâÔ, áâ ÈâıÎ Í©·ı´ï ¡·ıß ˙Ò Éâó©Å´ ´â Òï Îùã É ´ÅÌ·Ò ßÅ´ Subsequently, outstanding representatives ≠Ò ÁÅ ´·ıß: îÎù üâ ÔÅ ÖÅ©·ıß Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ âÂïÎ ù·Â· Î ´âÒ ·ı of the dynasty became bishops and metropoli- ßâÔÒ· Â·óïÔ ´âÒ áÅÒ°Å´ üâ´Û Å©Î Ô·üßïÛ ÎâÒ·£ ï≠ ôÅ- tans of Siunik. ´Åã·ı´ ´â Òè: Stepanos Orbelian was the first to unite ™ÒÅ´ ÛïÛ ÅÈÅÁï ´è ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´´ çÒ, the two Sees of Datev and Noravank. Changes ·Òï Åë·ÈÅ ùÅó·ı ë©·ı ´è ´≠Å´Å Ì·ÒÌâÛ ÓÅëâ ıï ·ı were also made in the status of the Siunik See ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï ÉÅ ìÅ´ ÌÅõ Åë·È´â Òï ßïÅ Ì·Ò ßÅßÉ: during his reign. ™ÒÅ ìÅ ßÅ ´Åù ˜·˜· ô·ı ë©·ı´´âÒ â´ ùÅÔÅÒ Ì·ıß ´Åâı Because of confessional compromises Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ Åë·Èï ùÅÒÖÅ Ìï •Å ù·ıß: úïóï ùï Å ©·ıß ÖÔ ´ Ì·£ with the Byzantine and Catholic churches in ùÅ ë·£ï ù·ÎÅ ùÅ´ Åë· Èï` É©·ı ãÅ´ áÅùÅ´ âı ùÅë· óïù the See of Cilicia, the metropolitans of Siunik âùâ£â Ûï ´â Òï´ ÅÒÌ·£ ãÅ ´ÅãÅ´ ãïÁ·ıß ´â Òï ÂÅÔ•Å- didn’t ask the Catholicos of All Armenians for È·Ì Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ ßâÔÒ· Â·óïÔ ´â Òè °âÈ´Å á Ò·ıë©Å´ üÅ ßÅÒ ordination any more, and they didn’t leave for Å©óâ ıÎ „ç ï´ áïß·ıß ûÅ ©·Û ùÅ ë·£ï ù·Îï´, „çï´ ßâù´·ıß úï- Cilicia either. óï ùïÅ: ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´´ ï´¡è °âÈ´Å á ÒâÛ ïÒ üÅ- Stepanos Orbelian himself ordained his 4 Á·Òá ßâÔ Ò· Â· óï Ôï´, ´Å çó` ïÒ üÅÁ·Ò áï´: successor a Metropolitan, and so did the latter.

Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ Åë·Èï ˙Ò Éâó©Å´ ´â Òï ≠Ò ÁÅ ´ï ÂÅÔß·ı ë©·ı- The Orbelian period in the history of the ´è ·ı ÎÅ´â óï ç Å©´ ÅÈ·ı ß·Ì, ·Ò Û·ı©Û ç ÔÅóïÎ Å≠ôÅÒ üïù Siunik See is edifying, as it shows the efficien- âı ü·Öâ ı·Ò ï≠ ôÅ´·ı ë©·ı´´â Òï üÅ ßÅ Ö·ÒõÅ ù Û·ıë©Å´ cy of cooperation between secular and theo- ÅÒ á©·ı´Å Ìâ Ô·ı ë©·ı ´è, âùâ £âÛ·ı áâÒè ·ÒÂâÎ ùÒ ëÅ ùÅ´ cratic rule, the role of the church as a prime Ö·Òõï ùÅãßÅ ùâÒ Âï„, ß≠Åù·ı© ëï ãÅÒÖÅÛ ßÅ´ ß£ï„ ·ıì: engine of education and a stimulus for cultural ÇÅÌÅ ùÅ´ ç ´≠âó, ·Ò üâ´Û ˙Ò Éâó©Å´, ‰È·≠©Å´ ï≠ôÅ´ ´â- development. Òï ·ı âÒù ÒÅ ßÅ Îï âùâ £âÛÅ ùÅ´ ï≠ ôÅ´·ı ë©Å´` âÂïÎ- The medieval Armenian University of ù·Â· Î ´â Òï ·ı ßâÔÒ· Â·óïÔ ´â Òï ü· ÌÅ ´Å Ì· Ò·ıë©ÅßÉ Gladzor, which was subsequently moved to ·ı ôÒÅô·ı ÎÅ´ ¡·Ì ç Ö·Òõâó ÑóÅ °· ÒïÛ Îùã É ´Å Ì·ÒÌ·£ Hermon, Vorotnavank and Datev, was founded üÅ ©·Û ßïÁ´Å áÅÒ©Å´ üÅ ßÅ ó ÎÅÒÅ ´è, ·Ò´ Å©´·ı üâ Ôâı with the support of the Orbelian and Proshian Ôâ£Å ˜·ô ÌâÛ ûâÒß·´, ‡Ò·Ô´Å ÌÅ´¡, ÓÅ ëâı: Í©·ı´©ÅÛ princes and the Siunik clergy. âÂïÎ ù·Â· Î ´â ÒïÛ ≠Å Ôâ Òè üâ´Û Å©á üÅßÅ ó ÎÅÒÅ ´ï The majority of the Siunik bishops were ≠Ò ÁÅ ´Å ÌÅÒÔ ´âÒ çï´, ·Ò·´Û Ö·Ò õ·ı´â·ı ë©·ı ´´ ïÎù ÅÂÅ- graduates of the Gladzor University. Their activ- Û·ı©Û çÒ ´ÒÅ´Û ÎÔÅ ÛÅõ ÉÅÒ°Ò ùÒë·ı ë©Å´ âı üïß ´Å Ì·Ò ity was a telling example of their higher educa- Öï Ôâ óï¡´â Òï: îÎù áÒÅ´¡ ·„ ßïÅ©´ ÅÎ ÔÌÅ õÅ ÉÅ´Å ùÅ´ tion and sound knowledge of theology, as well ·ı ÌÅÒáÅ ÂâÔÅ ùÅ´ çï´, Å©ó ´Åâı ÅãÖÅ ©ï´-üÅ© Òâ ´Å Î- as the willingness to protect their country. This ïÒÅ ùÅ´: ÜÒÅ´·Ì ùÅÒâ óï ç ÉÅÛÅ ÔÒâó Å©´ üÅÎÔÅ ÔÅ- was evidenced by the Siunik patriarchs’ per- ùÅ ß·ıë©·ı ´è, ·Ò·Ì Í©·ı´©ÅÛ Åë·ÈÅ ùÅó´âÒ´ è´ááï ßÅ- sistent struggle against innovation in religious ´·ıß çï´ úïóï ùï Å ©·ıß ÖÔ´ Ì·£ ûÅ© ·Û ùÅë· £ï ù·Î·ı ë©Å´ rites and profession of faith, introduced by the ÅÈÅ ÁÅÒ ùÅõ ùÒ·´Å õï ÎÅùÅ´ ·ı áÅ ÌÅ ´ÅÉÅ ´Å ùÅ´ Catholicosate of the House of Cilicia, which ´·ÒÅ ß·ıõ·ı ë©·ı´ ´â Òï´, ·Ò·´¡ ïÒâ´Û üâÔ Éâ Òâ ó·ı çï´ ´Åô- would eventually lead to loss of spiritual iden- ´©ÅÛ ÅÌÅ´á´â Òï ÎÔ Ìâ Ò·ıß, ÌâÒÁ ´Å ùÅ´ ÅÒ á©·ı´¡·ıß` tity and elimination of ancestral traditions. ü· Öâ ı·Ò ï´¡ ´·ı ë©Å´ ù·Ò·ıÎÔ: Ä©Î ´·ı©´ ßÔÅ ü· Ö·ı ë©ÅßÉ The bishops and rectors of Siunik were çï´ Í©·ı´©ÅÛ âÂïÎù· Â· Î ´âÒ´ ·ı ÒÅÉ·ı ´ÅÂâÔ ´â Òè ÂÅ©- deeply concerned about these threats and ¡Å Ò·ıß ùÅ ë·óïù ¡ÅÒ·ã „·ı ë©Å´ ÅÈÅ ÁÅßÅÒ Ôïù ´â Òï` struggled against Catholic preachers. ·ı´ï ë·Ò ´â Òï (ßï Å ÒÅÒ´âÒ) áâß: The Orbelians settled in Siunik with the as- Í©·ı ´ï ¡·ıß ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å´ ´â Òè üÅÎÔÅÔ Ì·ıß â´ Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ sistance of the Patriarch of Siunik Stepanos III Åë· ÈÅ ùÅó ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î Ñ ¸Å ôÒ åó ¶Îâüï (1170-1216) Fahr El Mseh (1170-1216), who had close ties ÅÁÅù Û·ıë©ÅßÉ, ·Òè ÎâÒÔ ùÅ ÂâÒ çÒ üÅÎ ÔÅÔâ ó ï´„ÂâÎ with Seljuk rulers and the Georgian court. ÎâóÁ·ı ù©Å´ ÉÈ´Å ùÅó ´â Òï, Å©´ÂâÎ çó ÏÒÅÛ ÅÒ ¡·ı ´ï ¡ï He had his niece marry Elikum Orbelian, üâÔ: ™Å ïÒ ¡Ò·Á Å£ÁùÅ´ Åß·ıÎ´ÅÛ ´·ıß ç ÎâóÁ·ı ù©Å´ who sought liberation from Seljuk domination. Öâ Òï≠ ôÅ´·ı ë©·ı ´ïÛ ÅãÅÔ Ìâ ó·ı üÅ ßÅÒ ·ı £ï´âÒ ·Ò·´·£ Fahr El Mseh greatly supported Liparit, the son àóïù·ıß ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï üâÔ âı üâ ÔÅ ÖÅ©·ıß ßâõ ˚ìÅ´ áÅù·ı- of Elikum. The latter came to Siunik to liberate ë©·ı´ Û·ı©Û ÔÅóïÎ ÌâÒÁï ´ïÎ ·Ò á·ı´` ñïÂÅ ÒïÔï´, Í©·ı´ï¡ it and establish a new princely statehood. Ôâ£Å ˜·ô Ìâ ó·ı, Å©´ ÅãÅÔÅ ÖÒâ ó·ı âı ´·Ò ï≠ôÅ ´Å Ô·üß Stepanos III proclaimed Noravank a See, üÅÎ ÔÅÔâ ó·ı Ö·Ò õ·ıß: since the Datev monastery was in ruins. ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î Ñ-è ÓÅëâ ıï ÌÅ ´Å ùÅ´ ≠ï ´·ı ë©·ı´´â Òï During the reign of his successor Sarkis I (1216-1242), the See split between Datev and ĢĲĺĶŕļ ŏĲŇŗĹ / Datev monastery Noravank. On the initiative of Sarkis I, St. Ste- phen the Precursor Church was built. Then he went to Cilicia and, with the help of Constantin I, Noravank was finally granted an independent ecclesiastical status. Thus, he also managed to secretly ratify the independence of Datev. Sarkis remained in the monastery of Mlich for quite a long time. Then he left for Jerusa- lem and was martyred there by the soldiers of Salahaddin. The incumbent Catholicos of Datev, Hairapet I (1254-1296), renovated local ruined churches and founded a school where Stepanos Orbelian studied. Hairapet I made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, then Cilicia, where he visited King Leo III (1270-1289). 6 Stepanos Orbelian (1286-1303), the son of ÅÌâ ÒÅù óï´â ó·ı ÂÅÔ•Å È·Ì ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡è üÅÎÔÅ Ô·ıß ç ·Ò ÂâÎ Åë· ÈÅ´ïÎÔ: ™ÒÅ üÅ Á·Òáï` ÍÅÒ ÖïÎ Ä-ï (1216- 1242) ìÅ ßÅ ´Åù âÒù˜â£ ùÌ·ıß ç Í©·ı´©ÅÛ Åë· Èè` ÓÅ- ëâı ·ı ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´¡ Åë· ÈÅ´ïÎÔ ùâ´ ÔÒ·´ ´â Ò·Ì: ÍÅÒ ÖïÎ Ä-ï ´Å ôÅ°âÈ ´·ı ë©ÅßÉ ùÅ È·ıÛ Ì·ıß ç ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï Í. ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ™Å ôÅÌ ùÅ©ï âùâ£â Ûï´: ÜÒÅ´ïÛ üâ Ô· ´Å Å© Ûâó·ıß ç úï óïùïÅ, ú·ÎÔÅ´ áï´ Ä ÇÅÒ°Ò ÉâÒá Û·ı ßïÁ·- Û·Ì ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡è ÌâÒÁ ´ÅùÅ ´ÅÂâÎ üÅÎ ÔÅÔ·ıß ·Ò ÂâÎ ÅÈÅ´ °ï´ âùâ £âÛÅ ùÅ´ Ìï•Åù (ÌÅÒ„Å ÔÅÒÅõ ¡Å©ï´ ßï- Å Ì·Ò), Å©ÎÂï Î·Ì óÈâó©Å©´ ùâÒÂ·Ì ÌÅ Ìâ ÒÅÛ´â ó·Ì ´Åâı ÓÅ ëâıï ÅÈÅ´°ï´ Ìï •Åù óï ´â óè: ÍÅÒ Öï Îè âÒùÅÒ ìÅ- ßÅ ´Åù ¶óï•· ÌÅ´¡·ıß (úïóï ùïÅ) •Ö´â ó·ıÛ üâÔ· Ö´·ıß ç àÒ·ı ÎÅ£âß âı Å©´Ôâ£ ´ÅüÅ ÔÅù Ì·ıß ÍÅóÅ üâááï ´ï ãï´- Ì·Ò ´â Òï °âÈ¡·Ì: ÓÅ ëâ ı·ıß Åë· ÈÅ ùÅ ó·£ ûÅ©ÒÅ ÂâÔ Ä-è (1254-1296) Ìâ ÒÅ´· Ò· Ö·ıß ç Ôâ £ï ÅÌâÒÌÅõ âùâ £âÛï ´â Òè âı üïß ´Å- á Ò·ıß áÂ Ò·Û, ·ıÒ Î·Ì· Ò·ıß ç ´Å âı ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´è: ûÅ©ÒÅ ÂâÔ Ä-è ·ıô ÔÅ Ö´Å Û·ı ë©·ı´ ç ùÅ ÔÅÒ·ıß àÒ·ı ÎÅ- £âß, ïÎù Å©´·ı üâ Ôâı Ö´·ıß úïóï ùïÅ âı Å©Ûâ ó·ıß ëÅÖÅ- Ì·Ò ñâ ı·´ Ñ-ï´ (1270-1289): ÓÅÒ ÎÅ ©ï• ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï ·Ò áï ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´è (1286-1303), Îùã É´Å ùÅ´ ùÒë·ı ë©·ı ´´ ÎÔÅ´Å ó·Ì ÓÅëâ-

ı·ıß, 1280 ë. ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡·ıß °âÈ´Å áÒ Ì·ıß ç ù·ı ÎÅù Ò·´ ĨőĳĶĽņĲŇŇĶőļ ķļŇĲŇňĲŇĹ ę·őĲŏĲŇŗ·ŕŅ / The Orbelians’ coat of arms at Noravank ¡ÅüÅ ´Å: Ä©á ìÅ ßÅ ´Åù (1282-1284 ëë.) ßïÁ´Å áÅ Òï üÅ© ô·≠· ÒÅÖ·ı©´ ÒÅÉ·ı ´ÅÂâÔ ´â ÒïÛ ßâùè` ™âÒÎâÎ Tarsayich Orbelian, received primary educa- ¶≠â Ûï´ üÅÎ ÔÅÔ Ìâó çÒ ÑóÅ°· Ò·ıß, ·ıÒ âı áïß·ıß ç ÍÔâ ˜Å- tion in Datev. He was ordained a celibate priest ´· Îè` ùÅÔÅ Òâ óÅ Ö·Òõ Ìâ ó·ı üÅßÅÒ: ÑóÅ °· Ò·ıß Î·Ì· Ò·ıß in 1280, in Noravank. At that time Nerses of ç ßï ¡Å´ï ÔÅ Òï âı ™âÒÎâÎ ¶≠âÛ·ıÛ ÌÅÒáÅ ÂâÔÅ ùÅ´ Mush (1282-1284), one of the major medieval ÖÅÌÅ ãÅ´ ÎÔÅ ´·ıß: ÜÒÅ´ïÛ üâ Ô·` 1285 ëÌÅùÅ ´ï´, rectors, had settled in Gladzor. ´Å è´ÔÒ Ì·ıß ç Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ Åë· ÈÅ ùÅó âı °âÈ´Å á Ò·ıë©Å´ Thus, Stepanos Orbelian applied to Glad- üÅ ßÅÒ ·ı £â ı·Ò Ì·ıß úï óïùïÅ, ·ıÒ ÁâÒß è´ á·ı ´â ó·ıë©·ı´ ç zor University for training. ÖÔ ´·ıß ñâı·´ Ñ ëÅÖÅ Ì·Òï ß·Ô: êÅ ÖÅÌ·Ò´ ÅÈÅÁÅÒ- He studied at Gladzor for several years ù·ıß ç ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï´ ãÉÅ£âÛ ´âó ùÅ ë·£ï ù·ÎÅ- and received a vardapet’s staff from Nerses of ùÅ´ ëÅ˜·ıÒ ÖÅüè, ÉÅ©Û ´Å, ÖïÔÅ ù Ûâó·Ì Í©·ı´ï ¡·ıß Mush. Subsequently he was elected patriarch ïÒâ´ ÎÂÅ Î·£ Ö·Òõï ùÅ Òâ ı· Ò·ıë©·ı ´è, ßâÒì·ıß ç: of Siunik in 1285 and went to Cilicia for ordina- ™· Ò è´ ÔïÒ ùÅë· £ï ù·Î ú·ÎÔÅ´ áï´ Ç úÅ Ô·ıùâ Û·ı tion. He received an enthusiastic welcome by (1286-1289) ÅÈÅ Áï´ Ö·Ò õâ ÒïÛ ßâù´ ç óï´·ıß ÍÔâ˜Å- King Leo III, who offered him the vacant ca- ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï´ °âÈ´Å á Òâ óè ·ÒÂâÎ ÆÞßâÔ ÒÅÂ˚ óïÔ tholicossal throne. Realizing the importance of ĝĲő·Ň ĠĲőĴŎļ ŐĲŋĲŇĲŗĲőĹ / Baron Sarkis’s tombstone 7 ßâõ Åë·È·©´ Íïı´âÅÛ ï ÌâÒÅ© Å©ó·Û âÂïÎù· Â· ÎÅ Û´, the work that awaited him in Siunik, Stepanos ·Ò¡ ùÅ©ï´ ÅÎÔ âı Å´á ·ßÅ´¡ ï ÏÅ ©·Û °·Ò âı ·ßÅ´¡ ï Orbelian refused the offer. ÓÅ ëâıØ1: ‡ı≠Å á Ò·ıë©Å´ ÅÒ ìÅ ´ï ç Å©´ ˜ÅÎÔè, ·Ò ÍÔâ- One of the first tasks of newly elected Ca- ˜Å ´·Î ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´è ´≠Å ´ÅùÌ·ıß ç ·„ ßï Å©´ ·Ò ÂâÎ ßâÔ- tholicos Constantin II (1286-1289) was the ordi- Ò· Â·óïÔ Í©·ı´©ÅÛ, Å© óâı ÆÞÂÈÅı ÔÅı˝ÒÅı´ ÔçÎ ÂÅÔÒï ÅÒ- nation of Stepanos Orbelian as a Metropolitan ¡ï´ ûÅ ©·Û, Å© Îï´ ¡´` ´Åô Å ë·È óï´âó âı Öó·ıô Åßâ ´Å©´ of the Great See of Siunik and the leader of the âÂïÎ ù·Â· ÎÅÛ ûÅ ©·ÛØ2, ùÅß ÆÞÂÈ·Ô·˝ Ò·´ ÔçÎ ûÅ ©·Û Episcopate in Vayots Dzor and Datev. ¶âõÅÛØ 3: éÎÔ ûÒ. Ä•ÅÈ©Å ´ï, ü·ı ´Å Òâ´ïÛ ˜·ôÅÈ ÌÅõ Referring to this question, His Beatitude ÂÈ·Ô·˝ Ò·´ ÔâÎ ÉÅÈè ´≠Å´Å ù·ıß ç ÆÅÈÅÁï´ ô·Òü·£ Maghakia Ormanian wrote that when the Ar- ùÅß ô´ÅßÅ ùÅóØ4, ïÎù èÎÔ ÆûÅ© ùÅãâÅ´Ø ÉÅÈÅ ÒÅ´ï` menian Catholicosate was in Cilicia, the Great Æ·ÒÂçÎ ëç ÄÈÅ Áï´ ô· üÅùÅ´ ô´Å ßÅ ùÅó, âı ÌÅÒìÅ- See was under the jurisdiction of the bishops ÂâÔ, ÌÅÒáÅ ÂâÔ, ·ıÎ·ı ß ´Å ÎçÒ, ïßÅÎÔÅ ÎçÒ âı •Ö´Å ı·ÒØ5: of Ani. Ä´á ÒÅáÅÈ ´Åó·Ì Å©Î üÅÒÛï´, ¶Å£Å ¡ïÅ ˙ÒßÅ ´©Å´ However, Ani gradually lost its significance ÎÒÉÅ ãÅ ´è ÖÒ·ıß ç, ·Ò ßï´„ Å©á Ä´ïï âÂïÎ ù·Â· Î ´â Òï´ and Siunik gained power once again, owing to çÒ Ìâ ÒÅÂÅü ÌÅõ ´Åô Å ë· È·ı ë©·ı ´è ûÅ ©·Û ùÅë· £ï ù·- Smbat and Tarsayich Orbelian. Î·ıë©Å´ úï óïùï Å ©·ıß ÖÔ ´ ÌÅõ ìÅßÅ ´Åù, ÆÉÅ©Û Ä´ï´ After having spent a year in Cilicia, Stepa- üâÔã üâÔç ù· Ò·ı ÎÅõ çÒ ïÒ ùÅ Òâ ı· Ò·ıëïı ´è, âı Íïı ´ï ¡ï nos Orbelian returned to his native land. The áïÒ¡è ´·Òç´ ÉÅÒ° ÒÅÛÅõ çÒ ˙ÒÉâ óâÅ´ ´â Ò·ı´` ÍßÉÅ Ôï bishops of Datev impeded Stepanos Orbelian’s âı ÓÅÒ ÎÅ ©ï•ï ≠´·Ò üïıØ6: intention to unite the Sees of Datev and Nora- ¶âù ÔÅÒï úï óïùï Å ©·ıß ß´Å ó·ıÛ üâÔ· ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î vank, but he succeeded in reuniting the See of ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´è ÌâÒÅ áÅÈ ´·ıß ç üÅ©Òâ ´ï âÒù ÒÅ ßÅÎ: ÓÅëâ- Siunik with the permission of the country’s Mo- ıï âÂïÎù· Â· Î ´â Òè ˜·Ò°·ıß â´ ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï` gul rulers and the support of his father, Prince ÓÅ ëâ ıï âı ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï Åë·È ´â Òè ßï Å Ì·Òâ ó·ı õÒÅ ÖÒâ- Tarsayich. Òè ô·„ è´á· Ôâó, ÎÅ ùÅ©´ ´Å ùÅ Ò·£Å ´·ıß ç ÎÔÅ ´Åó ´Åâı Later, Stepanos Orbelian defined the prin- âÒ ùÒï è´á üÅ´ ÒÅ ùÅ´ Ôâ Òâ Òï` ß·´£·ó ôÅ´â Òï üÅ ßÅ- ciples of friendly relations between Datev and °Å© ´·ı ë©·ı ´è âı ïÒ ü·Ò` ÓÅÒÎÅ ©ï• ï≠ ôÅ´ï ˚ìÅ´áÅ ù·ı- Noravank in his History. There should be one ë©ÅßÉ ´· ÒïÛ ßï Å Ì·Òâó Í©·ı´©ÅÛ Åë·Èè: ûâÔÅ ÖÅ©·ıß episcopacy for these two monasteries, with ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´´ ïÒ ÂÅÔ ß·ıë©Å´ ßâÁ ÌùÅ ©ÅÉâ Ò·ıß one leader. And the bishop dare not be par- ç ÓÅ ëâ ıï ·ı ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï â£ÉÅ© ÒÅ ùÅ´ üÅÒÅ Éâ Ò·ıë©·ı´- tial towards any of the two. Neither should he ´â Òï ÎùãÉ·ı´¡ ´â Òï ÎÅüßÅ ´·ı ßè. ÆÇÅ©Û Å©Î âÒù·ı Îï care more for one or the other. There should üÅ ßÅÒ çó ßâù âÂïÎ ù·Â· Î·ı ë©·ı´ ÂïÔï óï ´ï` ßâù ÅÈÅÁ- not be envy or hostility in this house. The ´·Òá·Ì ·ı ï≠ô· £·Ì. âı ·Ì ·Ò âÂïÎù· Â·Î óï´ï, „üÅ ßÅÒ- priests should not say, "You are of Datev or of °ÅùÌï âÒù·ı üÅ ©ÅÛ ¡·Ì ·ı âÒù·ı ßÔ¡·Ì ´Å ©âó ÎÒÅ´Û` Noravank." They should be united like a single ßâùï ´ùÅÔßÅßÉ ÅÈÅÌâó ü·Ö ÔÅ ´â ó·Ì: Ä©Î ÔÅ´ ßâÁ ·ô heart. Orbelian was faithful to this principle. ·ı ´Å ôÅ´° „ÂïÔï óï ´â´, ÎÒÅ´Û ùÒ·´Å Ì·Ò ´â Òè „ÂïÔï During this period, cultural and ecclesiastical ÅÎâ´. ÆÜ·ı ÔÅ ëâ ıÅ Ûï âÎ ùÅß ´· ÒÅÌÅ´¡ ÛïØ, Å©ó ÂïÔï life, as well as construction, reached a pinnacle óï ´â´ ßâù Å´° âı ßâù ÎïÒÔØ7: ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´´ ï´ ¡´ çó üÅÌÅ ÔÅ- in Siunik. Òïß ç ß´·ıß Å©Î ÂÅ©ßÅ ´ï´: Ä©Î ≠Ò ÁÅ ´·ıß Í©·ı ´ï ¡·ıß ´·Ò In 1297, the new Catholicos of Cilicia re- ëÅ˜ ç ÎÔÅ ´·ıß ≠ï ´Å ÒÅ Ò·ıë©·ı ´è, É·ıÈ´ õÅ£ù·ıß ç ÅÂ- ceived a letter from Gregory of Anavarza (1293- Ò·ıß âùâ £âÛÅ ùÅ´ ·ı ß≠Åù·ı ëÅ©ï´ ù©Å´ ¡è: 1307) suggesting diplomatic compromises úï óïùï Å ©·ıß Åë· ÈÅ ùÅó·£ ´·Ò ùÅ ë·£ï ù·Î ÑÒïÖ·Ò with the Greek Church. Ä´Å ÌÅÒ ãâ Û·ıÛ (1293-1307) 1297 ëÌÅùÅ´ ´â Òï´ ÎÔÅÛ- In response to it, Stepanos Orbelian con- ÌÅõ ´Å ßÅ ù·Ì ÅÈÅ ÁÅÒ ùÌ·ıß çÒ áÅÌÅ ´ÅÉÅ ´Å ùÅ´ ãï- vened a meeting of bishops, vardapets and Á·ıß´âÒ ùÅÔÅ Òâó ü·ı©´ âùâ £âÛ·ı´: ÜÒÅ´ ï ÂÅ ÔÅÎôÅ´ princes from Siunik and the neighboring towns, ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´è Í©·ı´ï ¡ï ·ı üÅ ÒÅ ùïÛ ≠ÒÁÅ´ ´â- called the First Council of Noravank. The Coun- cil unanimously denied the demand of Grego- 1 ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ óâÅ´, ‰ÅÔ ß·ıëïı´ ´ÅüÅ´ Öï´ Íï ÎÅùÅ´, êï˝ óïÎ, 1910, çÁ 313: ry of Anavarza. 2 ™·ı©´ Ôâ £·ıß, çÁ 351: Orbelian disproved the orientation of Cili- 3 ™·ı©´ Ôâ £·ıß, çÁ 17: cia, based on hard facts and, on behalf of the 4 ûÒ. Ä•Å È©Å´, ûÅ©â Òâ´ ÅÒ ßÅ ÔÅ ùÅ´ ÉÅ ÈÅ ÒÅ´, ü. Ü, àÒâıÅ´, 1979, çÁ 108: Armenian Church’s profession of faith, ended 5 ™·Ò ÇÅ ÈÖïÒ¡ ûÅ©ùÅ ãâÅ´ óâã·ıï, ü. Ç, àÒâıÅ´, 1981, çÁ 661: his speech as follows: "We’d rather descend to 6 ¶. ˙ÒßÅ ´©Å´, ÄãÖÅ ÂÅ Ô·ıß, ü. Ä, Í. åÁßï Åõï´, 2001, çÁ 1701: Hell than ascend to Roman Heavens." 7 ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å´, Í©·ı´ï ¡ï ÂÅÔ ß·ıë©·ı´, ëÅÒÖßÅ ´·ı ë©·ı- This letter played a significant role in pre- ´è, ´âÒÅ õ·ı ë©·ı ´è âı õÅ´· ëÅ ÖÒ·ı ë©·ı´ ´âÒè Ä. ÄÉ ÒÅüÅ ß©Å ´ï, 8 àÒâıÅ´, 1986, çÁ 375: serving the principles of profession of faith and Òï âÂïÎù· Â· Î ´â Òï, ÌÅÒáÅ ÂâÔ ´â Òï âı ï≠ôÅ´ ´â Òï national traditions adopted by the Armenian ßÅÎ´Å ù Û·ıë©ÅßÉ Ö·ıßÅ Ò·ıß ç ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï ÅÈÅ Áï´ ì·- Church. Miniatures from manuscript written for Stepanos Orbelian, (Matenadaran) 1302 £· Ìè, ·ıÒ ßïÅ °Å©´ ùâÒ Â·Ì ·Ò·≠Ì·ıß ç ßâÒ ìâó Ä´ÅÌÅÒ- The metropolitans and bishops of Siunik ãâ Û·ı ´· ÒÅ ß·ıõ·ı ë©·ı´´â Òï ÂÅüÅ´ Áè: ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´è üÅ© didn’t ask the Armenian Catholicos for ordina- âùâ£â Û·ı áÅÌÅ ´Å´ ¡ï Å´ ÎÅÎÅ ´·ı ë©Å´ áïÒ ¡âÒïÛ üïß- tion and didn’t leave for Cilicia any more dur- ėĲŇőĲŇŀĲőŇĶő ĠŐĶŖĲŇ·Ŏ ĨőĳĶĽņĲŇļ ŁĲŅĲő ĴőŏĲĿ łĶōĲĴőļŔ, 1302ĺ. (ėĲŐĶŇĲĵĲőĲŇ) ĨőĳĶĽņĲŇļ ĠŐĶŖĲŇ·Ŏ ėĲŇőĲŇŀĲőŇĶő ĴőŏĲĿ łĶōĲĴőļŔ, 1302ĺ. ŁĲŅĲő ´Å Ì·Ò ˜ÅÎÔâ Ò·Ì ßâÒì·ıß ç ùï óïù©Å´ ˚ÔÅÒÅ ß· ó·ı ë©·ı ´è ing the reign of Stepanos Orbelian, as a result âı ô·Î ¡è âã ÒÅ˜Å ù·ıß ÆûÅıÅ´ âß¡ ßâ¡ è´á ßâÒ üÅÒÎ´ of the position taken by Gregory of Anavarza. ï áì· ôÎ ïÁÅ´âó âı ·„ è´á û·È· ß·Û ©âÒùï ´Î âóÅ´âóØ ÉÅ- Instead, each metropolitan ordained his own ÈâÒ·Ì: Ä©Î ´ÅßÅ ùè „Å˜Å ãÅ´Û ßâõ ´≠Å´Å ù·ı ë©·ı´ ç successor. ·ı´â ´·ıß ûÅ© àùâ £âÛ·ı ·Òáâ Ö ÒÅõ áÅ ÌÅ ´ÅÉÅ ´Å ùÅ´ In order to ensure sustainable juridical sta- Îùã É·ı´¡´â Òï ·ı âùâ£â ÛÅ ùÅ´-Åã ÖÅ ©ï´ ÎÒÉÅ Ö·Òõ ÌÅõ tus for the clergy of Siunik during the Mongol ÅÌÅ´ á·ı©ë´â Òï ÂÅüÂÅ ´ ßÅ´ Ö·Ò õ·ıß: domination, the Orbelians opted for a combi- ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´ï ≠Ò ÁÅ´ïÛ ÎùÎÅõ, Ä´ÅÌÅÒ ãâ- nation of secular and spiritual power. Û·ı Ö·Òõâ óÅ ùâÒ Âï ÂÅÔ •Å È·Ì, Í©·ı´©ÅÛ ßâÔÒ· Â·óïÔ- Prince Tarsayich appointed his son Stepa- ´âÒ´ ·ı âÂïÎ ù·Â· Î ´â Òè °âÈ´Å á Ò·ıë©Å´ üÅßÅÒ Å©óâ ıÎ nos Orbelian the Patriarch of Datev, Noravank, „ç ï´ áï ß·ıß ûÅ©·Û ùÅ ë·£ï ù·Îï´, „ç ï´ ßâù´·ıß úïóï ùïÅ, Tsakhatskar and Arates, which was confirmed Å©ó ©·ıÒÅ ¡Å´„©·ıÒ ßâÔÒ· Â·óïÔ °âÈ´Å á Ò·ıß çÒ ïÒ üÅ Á·Ò- by the Mongol Prince Arghoun. áï´: Stepanos Orbelian’s successors were en- ¶·´ £·ó ´â Òï ÔïÒÅ Ââ Ô·ı ë©Å´ ÂÅ© ßÅ´ ´â Ò·ıß Í©·ı- dowed with the right to secular and theocratic ´©ÅÛ ü·Öâ ı·Ò ï≠ôÅ ´·ı ë©Å´ üÅÎ ÔÅÔ· ı´ ïÒÅÌÅ ùÅ´ rule. They were descendants of the Orbelian ùÅÒÖÅ Ìï •Å ù´ ÅÂÅü· Ìâó·ı üÅßÅÒ ˙Ò Éâó©Å´ ´âÒ´ è´Ô- dynasty. Ò·ıß â´ ü· Öâ ı·Ò âı Å≠ôÅÒ üïù ï≠ ôÅ´·ı ë©Å´ ©·ıÒ ˚ Òï ´Åù Interestingly enough, subsequent Siunik ã·ı Ö·Òá ßÅ´ ·ı £ï´: ÓÅÒÎÅ ©ï• ï≠ ôÅ´è ·Ò á·ı´` ÍÔâ ˜Å- bishops from the Orbelian family maintained ´·Î ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´ï´ áÅÒ° ´·ıß ç ÓÅ ëâ ıï, ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï, ÚÅ- their Christian names alongside their ordina- ôÅÛ¡Å Òï ·ı ÄÒÅÔâ Îï üÅ© Òâ´Å ÔâÒ: î´„ ÂâÎ Å©Î ßÅÎï´ tion names. ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´´ ç ÖÒ·ıß, ÆÞüÅ ´âÅó çÒ ÉÅ ìï´ ìÅ- Thus, they were referred to by two names, ÈÅ´ Ö·ı ëâÅ´ ßâã ãÌÅ ´·Ò Å©Î´ ïıÒ·© ï≠ ôÅ´·ı ëâÅ ´´` such as Hovhannes-Orbel, Stepanos-Tarsayich, ãÓÅ ëâı, ã™·ÒÅ ÌÅ ´Î, ãÚÅ £ÅÛ ¡ÅÒ, ãÄÒÅ ÔïÎ âı ãÅ©óÎ´ Stepanos-Sultanshah and Stepanos-Ivane. Åßâ´Å©´Ø 8: Noravank was the See of Stepanos Or- îÎù ß·´ £·ó ï≠ ô·£ ÄÒ£·ı ´è üÅÎÔÅ Ô·ıß ç Å©á ïÒÅ- belian, where he wrote his illustrious History. Ì·ı´ ¡è (ÆÌâÒÎ Ôï´ üÅÎ ÔÅÔâÅÛ ï ßâã ãÉ· ÌÅ´áÅ ù´` ùÒ- He was the patron of talented master Momik, ùï´ ï≠ ôÅ´·ı ëâÅßÉ` ü·Öâ ı·Ò âı ßÅÒß ´Å ı·ÒØ): ¶ï Å ìÅ- who, working in Noravank, had illuminated an ßÅ ´Åù ü·Öâ ı·Ò âı Å≠ ôÅÒüïù ï≠ ôÅ´·ı ë©·ı´ ÌÅ Òâ ó·ı exceptional gospel at his behest. Momik also ïÒÅ Ì·ı´ ¡è ˜·ôÅ´ Û ÌâÛ ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´ï üÅ Á·Òá- had built churches and created cross stones ´â Òï´, ·Ò·´¡ ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å´ Ô·ü ßï ´âÒ ùÅ©Å Û·ı Ûï„´âÒ çï´: ûâ- by order of Armenian princes and princesses. ÔÅ¡Ò ¡ïÒ ç, ·Ò ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å´ Ô·ü ßïÛ Îâ Ò·£ Í©·ı´©ÅÛ üÅÁ·Òá However, Stepanos Orbelian attached great im- âÂïÎ ù·Â· Î ´âÒ´ ïÒÅùÅ ´ÅÛ ´â ó·Ì ü· Öâ ı·Ò âı Å≠ôÅÒ- portance to Datev, where he had built St. Greg- üïù ï≠ ôÅ´·ı ë©·ı´, ïÒâ´Û ü·Öâ ı·Ò (°âÈ ´Åá Ò·ıë©Å´ ìÅ- ory Church and ordered gigantic bells for the ßÅ ´Åù ÎÔÅ ÛÅõ) Å´ ÌÅ ´è ã·ıÖÅ üâÈ ÂÅüÂÅ ´·ıß çï´ monastery. 8 ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ óâÅ´, çÁ 352: Stepanos Orbelian died in 1303 and was 9 buried in Noravank. His cousin Ivane’s grandson Hovhannes-Orbel (1300-1324) took over. The latter had apprenticed at Isaiah Nich and was acknowledged as Stepanos Orbelian’s successor during the latter’s lifetime. Hovhannes-Orbel sponsored the Univer- sity of Gladzor, the pan-Armenian cultural col- ony. There is mention of Hovhannes-Orbel in a colophon by Momik: “Father Hovhannes-Orbel, Patriarch of three major Sees, i.e. Datev, Nora- vank and Tsakhatskar and twelve bishops.’’ By order of Hovhannes-Orbel, the Areni church of the Holy Virgin was built in 1321. During the reign of Hovhannes-Orbel, the delegate of Constantin III (1307-1322) came to Siunik in order to reach a compromise with the Catholic Church. To this end, the Second Council of Nora- vank was convened, headed by the Metropoli- Ġ. ĠŐĶŖĲŇ·ŎĠ. ĶŀĶŃĶŔļŇ / St. Stepanos Church tan, and the delegate returned with a refusal. ´Å âı Å≠ ôÅÒüÅ ùÅ´ Å´·ı´ ´â Òè, ·Ò·Ì ÅÈÅ ÁÅ ´·ıß çÒ ©·ı Ò- Demands of the Cilician court and Ca- ˚ Òï ´Åù âÒ ùÅ ´·ı´` û·Ì üÅ´ ´âÎ-˙Ò Éâó, ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î-ÓÅÒ- tholicosate for profession of faith and ritual ÎÅ ©ï•, ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î-Í·ıóëÅ´ ≠Åü, ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î-îÌÅ´â: compromises were soon followed by the real ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï Åë·ÈÅ ´ïÎ Ôè ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡´ threat of conversion, when Catholic preachers çÒ, Å©ÎÔâ£ çó ÖÒâó ç ïÒ ´≠Å ´Å Ì·Ò ÂÅÔß·ı ë©·ı ´è: ™ÒÅ appeared in Kirna and neighboring towns, and ü· ÌÅ ´Å Ì·Ò©Å ó´ çÒ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡·ıß Å≠ôÅ Ô·£ ÉÅã ßÅ≠- launched a massive proselytizing campaign, ´·Òü ¶· ßïùè, ·Òè ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï üÅ´° ´Å ÒÅ Ò·ı- joined by allied Armenian clergy. ë©ÅßÉ ÖÒâó ·ı ÂÅÔ ù âÒÅ ãÅÒ áâó ç ßï ÉÅ ÛÅ Èïù ÅÈ°âÈ´ Hovhannes-Orbel, along with his succes- ÄÌâ ÔÅÒÅ´, ïÎù ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å´ ÔÅ´ ï≠ôÅ´ ´â Òï ·ı ï≠ôÅ ´·ı- sors and rectors, Isaiah of Nich and his pupils üï ´â Òï ÂÅÔÌâ Ò·Ì ùÅÈ·ı Ûâó âùâ £âÛï ´âÒ, ùâÒ Ôâó ôÅ„¡Å- as well as Hovhannes of Vorodan and Gregory ÒâÒ: ÍÅ ùÅ©´ ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´è ßâõ ·ı ≠Åá Ò·ıë©·ı´ çÒ of Datev, made every effort to halt that destruc- áÅÒ °´·ıß ÓÅ ëâıï´, ·ıÒ ùÅÈ·ı Ûâó ç Í. ÑÒï Ö·Ò âùâ£â Ûï´, tive course. ÌÅ´ ¡ï üÅ ßÅÒ ÂÅÔ Ìï Òâó üÎ ùÅ©Å ùÅ´ ãÅ´ÖâÒ: The next Metropolitan of Siunik, Stepanos- 1303ë. ßÅ üÅÛÅõ ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï´9 üÅ Á·Ò- Tarsayich (1314-1331), the nephew of Stepanos á·ıß ç ´ÒÅ ü·Òâ£ ÉÅ©Ò îÌÅ ´âï ë· Èè` û·Ì üÅ´ ´âÎ-˙Ò Éâ- Orbelian’s brother Jelal, had also apprenticed óè (1300-1324), ·Ò´ Å≠Å ùâÒÔâó ç àÎÅ ©ï ™„âÛ·ı´ âı áâ- to Isaiah of Nich. ÈâıÎ ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï ùâ´ áÅ´·ı ë©Å´ ìÅ ßÅ ´Åù When Hovhannes-Orbel was still alive, •Å´Å„ Ìâó ·ÒÂâÎ Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ üÅÁ·Òá ßâÔ Ò· Â·óïÔ: ™Å they both struggled against the Monophysites ´©·ı ëÅÂâÎ ˚ìÅ´áÅ ùâó ç ÑóÅ °·Òï üÅ ßÅ ó ÎÅÒÅ ´ï´, â£âó and supported the Gladzor University. Å©á üÅßÅ üÅ©ùÅ ùÅ´ ùÒ ë ˚ÁÅ ôè ü·ÌÅ ´Å Ì·Ò·£ ´â ÒïÛ In fact, noble bishops of the Orbelian dy- ßâùè: û·Ì üÅ´´âÎ-˙Ò Éâóï ßÅÎï´ ¶· ßïùï ÖÒÅõ ßï üï ≠Å- nasty became the owners of these monaster- ÔÅùÅ ÒÅ´·ıß ÅÎÌ·ıß ç. ÆÓçÒ ˙Ò Ââóï ®·ÌÅ ´ç` ÌâÒÅ Ôâ- ies, inheriting the See of Siunik. Î·ı„ ÖÅüâ ÒâÛ âÒïÛ Åë· È·Û` ÓÅ ëâ ı·© âı ™· ÒÅÌÅ ´ïÛ âı Stepanos Orbelian and his two direct suc- ÚÅ£ÅÛ ¡Å Ò·©` Öó·ıô âÒ ù·ÔÅ ÎÅ´ ÖÅ ıÅ ãÅ ´ÅÛØ10: ûâ´Û cessors, Hovhannes-Orbel and Stepanos-Tar- û·Ì üÅ´ ´âÎ-˙Ò Éâóï ÂÅÔÌâ Ò·Ì çó ¶·ßï ùè 1321 ëÌÅ ùÅ- sayich, were the three outstanding Metropoli- ´ï´ ùÅÈ·ı Ûâó ç ÄÒâ´ïï Í. ÄÎ ÔÌÅ õÅõï´ Öâ £Å≠â´ âùâ- tans of Siunik, who made valuable contribu- £âÛï´: tions to the spiritual and ecclesiastical progress of the region. 9 ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï` ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï ÖÅÌë·ıß ÂÅüÂÅ´- However, difficulties occurred as a result ÌÅõ ÔÅ ÂÅ´Å ¡Å Òï ÌÒÅ ÖÒÌÅõ ç. Æî ëÌïÎ ‚öÇ (1303). Å©Î ç ≠ïÒïß ©Å´ ÖèÎ ÔâÅ´ ßâ õï ßâÔ ÒÅÂÅ óïÔï´ Íïı´âÅÛ ÍÔâ˜Å ´·- of changes in the political situation as well as ÎïØ (Üï ÌÅ´ üÅ© ÌïßÅ Ö Ò·ı ë©Å´, ÂÒ. 3, ùÅã ßâÛ Í. ÇÅÒô·ı áÅ- in theocratic rule. Ò©Å´, àÒâıÅ´, 1967, çÁ 233): After the Muslims had assassinated Bish- 10 A Catalogue of Medieval Armenian Manuscripts in the United 10 States, By Avedis K. Sanjian, Los Angeles-London, 1976, p. 85. op Stepanos Sultanshah (1370’s), the great- ę·őĲŏĲŇŗĹ ŁĲőĲŏ-ĲőĶŕĶĽŗļŔ / Noravank as viewed from the southeast

û·Ì üÅ´ ´âÎ-˙Ò Éâóï ìÅßÅ ´Åù úï óïùï Å ©ïÛ Í©·ı ´ï¡ grandson of Stepanos Orbelian’s brother and ç ÖÅóïÎ ú·ÎÔÅ´ áï´ Ñ úâÎÅ ÒÅ Û·ı (1307-1322) ÂÅÔ Ìï- the grandson of Burtel the Great, the See of Si- ÒÅ ùè` ùÅ ë·óïù âùâ£â Û·ı´ ÅÒÌâ óï¡ ãï Á·ıß´â Òï ÂÅüÅ´- unik was temporarily governed by the rectors Á·Ì, ·Òï üÅ ßÅÒ ßâÔÒ· Â· óï Ôï ÖóôÅ Ì· Ò·ı ë©ÅßÉ Ö·ı ßÅÒ- of the University, Hovhannes of Vorodan and Ì·ıß ç ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï âÒù Ò·Òá ì·£· Ìè, âı ßâÒì· £Å ùÅ´ Gregory of Datev. ÂÅ ÔÅÎôÅ´ ·ı£ÅÒ ùÌ·ıß: úïóï ù©Å´ ÅÒ¡·ı ´ï ¡ï ·ı ùÅ- Despite unfavorable political conditions, ë·£ï ù·Î·ı ë©Å´ áÅ ÌÅ ´ÅÉÅ ´Å ùÅ´ ·ı õïÎÅ ùÅ´ ãïÁ·- Hovhannes of Vorodan and Gregory of Datev £ÅùÅ ´·ı ë©Å´ ÂÅ üÅ´Á ´â Òï´ ≠·ı Ô·Ì ßï Å´·ıß ç Å©óÅ áÅ- managed to preserve the Armenian univer- ÌÅ ´·ı ë©Å´ ïÒÅ ùÅ´ ÌÔÅ´Öè, âÒÉ ΩÈ ´Å©·ıß ·ı ≠Ò ÁÅùÅ sity, transferring it from one place to another É´ÅùÅ ÌÅ© ÒâÒ·ıß üÅ©Ô ´ Ì·ıß â´ ùÅë· óïù ¡Å Ò· ãï„´âÒ (Vorodnavank, Arakunis and Datev), to create âı ïÒâ´Û ≠·ıÒÁè üÅßÅ ô·ü üÅ© ü·Öâ ı· ÒÅ ùÅ´´âÒ üÅ ÌÅ- ¡âó·Ì óÅ©´ ¡ÅÒ·ã „·ı ë©·ı´ ÎùÎ·ıß: û·Ì üÅ´ ´âÎ-˙Ò Éâóè, ´ÒÅ´ üÅÁ·Ò áÅõ âÂïÎù· Â· Î ´â Òè, ÒÅ É·ı ´ÅÂâÔ àÎÅ- ©ï ™„â Ûï´ ïÒ ÎÅ´â Ò·Ì ·ı ÅÂÅ û·Ì üÅ´ ‡Ò·Ô ´â Ûï´ âı ÑÒïÖ·Ò ÓÅëâ ıÅÛï´ ïÒâ´Û Å≠ÅùâÒÔ ´â Òï üâÔ ßïÅ Îï´, ĐĲŊŗĲő / Cross-stone / ĐĲŊŗĲő ü´ÅÒÅ Ì·Ò Åßâ´ ÁÅ´¡ ·ı ßï Á·Û Ö·ÒõÅ á Ò·ıß â´ ÅÒÖâ óâ- ó·ı üÅ ßÅÒ Å©á Ì´Å ÎÅùÅÒ è´ëÅÛ ¡è: Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ üÅÁ·Òá ßâÔÒ· Â· óïÔ ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î-ÓÅÒÎÅ- ©ï•è (1314-1331)` ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï ÊÅóÅó â£ É·Ò ·Ò áï´, ´·ı©´ÂâÎ Å≠ÅùâÒ Ôâó ç àÎÅ©ï ™„âÛ·ı´: ÜâÈâ ıÎ û·Ì- üÅ´ ´âÎ ˙Ò Éâóï ùâ´áÅ ´·ı ë©Å´ ˚Ò·¡ ´ÒÅ üâÔ ÂÅ©¡Å Òâó ç ·ı´ï ë·Ò ´â Òï áâß, ˚ìÅ´áÅ ùâó ÑóÅ°· Òï üÅßÅ ó ÎÅÒÅ ´ï Ö·Òõ·ı ´â·ıë©Å ´è: ¶ï üï≠Å ÔÅ ùÅ ÒÅ´·ıß ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î- ÓÅÒ ÎÅ ©ï•è ù·„Ì · ıß ç ÆÔç Ò â ı ÌâÒÅ Ôâ Î·ı„ ÖÅ üâÒçÛ âı Öó·ıô ÅÒ üïâ ÒïÛ Åë·È·©Î Íïı´âÅÛ ÓÅ ëâ ı·© âı ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ ´ïÛ âı ÚÅôÅÛ ¡Å Ò·©, ÂâÔ âÒù· ÔÅ ÎÅ´ ÖÅıÅ ÈÅÛØ11: ˆÅ ÎÔ·- Òâ´ Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ Åë·Èè ìÅÈÅ´ Öâ ó·ı ßïÁ· Û·Ì Å©Î ÌÅ´ ¡âÒï ÔâÒ â´ áÅÒ °âó ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å´ Ô·ü ßï ï≠ôÅ ´Å ã·ı´ âÂïÎù· Â·- Î ´â Òè: ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´è âı ´ÒÅ âÒù·ı Å´ßï ÁÅ ùÅ´ üÅ- Á·Òá´â Òè` û·ÌüÅ´ ´âÎ-˙Ò Éâóè âı ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î-ÓÅÒ ÎÅ ©ï•è Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ ßâÔÒ·Â· óï Ô·ı ë©Å´ âÒâ¡ ô·≠·Ò áâß¡âÒ´ â´, ·Ò·´¡ Å´ Ö´Å üÅ Ôâ óï áâÒ â´ ùÅÔÅ Òâó âÒù ÒÅ ßÅ Îï ü· Öâ- ı·Ò-âùâ £âÛÅ ùÅ´ ù©Å´¡ï õÅ£ù ßÅ´ üÅßÅÒ: ™ÒÅ´ÛïÛ

11 ñ . òÅ „ï ù©Å´, íÜ áÅ Òï üÅ ©âÒâ´ °â ÈÅÖ Òâ Òï üï ≠Å ÔÅ ùÅ- ÒÅ´ ´âÒ, àÒâıÅ´, 1950, çÁ 231: 11 üâÔ·, ÎÅ ùÅ©´, ¡Å £Å¡Å ùÅ´ ïÒÅ Ìï •Å ùï ˜· ˜·ô ßÅ´ theological works, make copies of numerous üâÔâ ıÅ´¡·Ì áìÌÅ Ò·ı ë©·ı´ ´âÒ â´ ÅÈÅÁÅ Ûâó ´Å âı âùâ- manuscripts and educate hundreds of pupils. £âÛÅ ùÅ´ ï≠ôÅ ´·ı ë©Å´ üÅ ßÅÒ: ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´ï In the 14th-15th centuries there were bish- â£ É·Ò õ·È´·Ò áï âı Ç·ıÒëâó ¶â õï (1304-1344) ë·È ÍÔâ- ops from other dynasties besides the Orbeli- ˜Å ´·Î-Í·ıóëÅ´ ≠Åü âÂïÎ ù·Â· Îï` ßÅüßâ áÅ ùÅ´ ´â Òï ans. °âÈ ¡·Ì ÎÂÅ´·ı ë©·ı ´ïÛ üâÔ· (14-Òá á. 70-ÅùÅ´ ëÌÅ- Hard times followed the period of prosper- ùÅ´ ´âÒ) Í©·ı´©ÅÛ Åë·Èè ìÅ ßÅ ´ÅùÅ Ì·ÒÅ ÂâÎ ùÅÈÅ- ity of the Orbelians. ÌÅÒ Ìâó ç Ôâ£Å ÂÅü´â Òï` üÅ ©·Û ÌÅÒáÅ ÂâÔÅ ÒÅ ´ï ÒÅ- In the early 15th century, they were perse- É·ı ´ÅÂâÔ ´âÒ û·Ì üÅ´ ‡Ò·Ô ´â Û·ı âı ÑÒïÖ·Ò ÓÅëâ ıÅÛ·ı cuted and some princes were forced to flee to ßï Á·Û·Ì: ‚´Å ©Åõ ¡Å£Å ¡Å ùÅ´ Å´ÉÅ Òâ ´ ÂÅÎÔ ÂÅ©- Georgia. ßÅ´´â Òï´` û·Ì üÅ´ ‡Ò·Ô ´â Ûï´ ·ı ÑÒïÖ·Ò ÓÅëâ ıÅ Ûï´ Although the See of Siunik was deprived ùÅ Ò·£Å Ûâó â´ Ôâ£ïÛ Ôâ£ ˜·ôÅ áÒ Ìâó·Ì (‡Ò·Ô´Å ÌÅ´¡, of its continued activity, it encouraged the peo- ÄÂ ÒÅ ù·ı´ïÎ, ÓÅëâı) ÂÅüÂÅ ´âó üÅ ©·Û üÅßÅ ó ÎÅÒÅ- ple and preserved the schools. ´è, ÎÔâ£ õâó ÅÎÔ ÌÅ õÅ ÉÅ´Å ùÅ´ âÒ ùâÒ, è´á ˚ Òï ´Å ùâó The last representative of the Orbelian dy- ÔÅó ÉÅãßÅ ëïÌ °â ÈÅÖ ÒâÒ, ùÒ ëâó üÅÒ©·ı ÒÅ Ì·Ò ÎÅ ´â Òï: nasty, Roustam, as well as the Siunik clergy, 14-15-Ò á áÅÒâ Ò·ıß ÉÅÛï ˙Ò Éâó©Å´ ´â ÒïÛ üÅ´áâÎ â´ âùâó contributed greatly to the re-establishment of âÂïÎ ù·Â· Î ´âÒ Å©ó Ô·üßâ ÒïÛ: the Armenian Patriarchal See in Holy Etchmi- ˙Ò Éâó©Å´ ´â Òï õÅ£ù ßÅ´ ≠ÒÁÅ ´ï´ üÅÁ·Ò áâó â´ áì- adzin in 1441. ÌÅÒï´ ìÅ ßÅ ´Åù ´âÒ: 15-Òá áÅÒï ÎùãÉ´â ÒïÛ ´ÒÅ´¡ üÅóÅ õÅ´¡ ´â Òï â´ â´ ëÅÒ ùÌâ ó, âı ï≠ ôÅ´ ´â Òï ßï ßÅÎè ÖÅ£ ëâó ç ÏÒÅÎ ÔÅ´: Í©·ı´©ÅÛ Åë·Èè ëââı ãÒ ùÌâó ç ü· ÌÅ- ´Å Ì·Ò·ı ë©·ı ´ïÛ, ÎÅ ùÅ©´ ≠Å Ò·ı ´Å ùâó ç Ö·Ò õ·ı ´â·ı ë©·ı- ´è, ã·ÒÅ Û Òâó ì·£· ÌÒ áï ·Öï´, ÂÅü ÂÅ´âó áÂÒ·Û ´â Òè: ˙Ò Éâó©Å´ ÌâÒ Áï´ ≠ÅÈÅ Ìï£´â ÒïÛ Ë·ıÎÔÅ ßè âı Î©·ı- ´â Ûï âùâ£â ÛÅ ùÅ´ Ö·Ò õï„´â Òè ßâ õÅÂâÎ ´ÂÅÎÔâó â´ 1441 ë. Äß â´Å©´ ûÅ ©·Û ùÅ ë·£ï ù·ÎÅ ùÅ´ Åë· Èè Í. åÁ- ßïÅõ ´·ıß ÌâÒÅ üÅÎ ÔÅÔâ ó·ı Ö·Ò õï´:

‡ŕľŐĲŏ·őŇĶőļ ľĲŊĶőĹ Ġ. ĄŎŐŏĲĿĲĿļŇ ĶŀĶŃĶŔ·ŕ ŋĲŐļŇ / Crosses carved by pilgrims on a wall of St. Astvatsatsin Church

12 Í Ôâ˜Å´·Î Stepanos Orbelian ˙ÒÉâó©Å´è on Noravank ™·ÒÅÌÅ´¡ï Stepanos Orbelian, Metropolitan of Siunik, ßÅÎï´ was not only a distinguished clergyman, but also a theologian, historian and poet. His clerical and national activity is in striking har- φ©·ı´©ÅÛ ßâÔÒ· Â·óïÔ ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´è ·„ mony with his literary heritage. As a spiritual ßïÅ©´ ´≠Å´Å Ì·Ò âùâ£â ÛÅ ùÅ´ Ö·Òõï„ çÒ, Å©- leader and political figure, he had to be well óâı ÉÅã ßÅÒ á©·ı´ üâ£ï ´Åù, ÅÎ ÔÌÅ õÅÉÅ´, ÂÅÔßï„, ÉÅ- versed in history. ´Å ÎÔâ£õ: ™ÒÅ ÖÒÅ ùÅ´ ìÅ ÈÅ´ Ö·ı ë©·ı ´è ãÅÒ ßÅ ´Åóï- Orbelian wrote the complete history of · Òâ´ ´âÒ áÅ≠ ´Åù ç ´ÒÅ âùâ£â ÛÅ ùÅ´-Åã ÖÅ ©ï´ Ö·Ò õ·ı- Siunik in a magnificent work. Furthermore, he ´â·ıë©Å ´è: ‡Ò ÂâÎ ü·Öâ ı·Ò ÂâÔ ·ı ´Åâı ¡Å £Å¡Å ùÅ´·ı- compiled a separate chronology, including the ë©Å´è ß·Ô ùÅ´ Ö´Åõ Ö·Òõï„, Å´ü ÒÅ ìâ ≠ÔÅ ÉÅÒ ÂïÔï years 1193-1290. As a theologian-theoretician Ôâ£©Åù óï´âÒ ÂÅÔß·ı ë©Å´è, ·ıÎÔï üÎùÅ ©Å ùÅ´ Å≠ ôÅ- and a supporter of the doctrine of the Arme- Ô·ı ë©ÅßÉ ÖÒâó ç Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ ÅÈÅÌâó ÅßÉ·£ ÁÅùÅ´ ÂÅÔ- nian Church, Stepanos Orbelian created works ß·ıë©·ı ´è: ÇÅ Ûï Å©á ùÅã ßâó ç 1193-1290 ëë. è´á ÖÒ ù·£ criticizing churches that abided by the resolu- ßï ÅÈÅ´ °ï´ ìÅßÅ ´Å ùÅÖ Ò·ıë©· ı´: ‡ÒÂâÎ ÅÎ ÔÌÅ õÅ- tions of the Council of Chalcedon, such as the ÉÅ´-ÔâÎÅ ÉÅ´ âı ûÅ© àùâ£â Û·ı ÌÅÒáÅ ÂâÔ·ı ë©Å´ ÁÅ- "Disapproval of Chalcedonianism" (1302) and ÔÅ Ö·Ì ÖÒâó ç ÆûÅùÅ •Å È·ı ëïı´ è´ááçß âÒùÅ É ´Å ùÅÛØ âÒ- the "Reason for the Chalcedonian Council" ùè (1302 ë.) ´ÌïÒÌÅõ ¡Å£ ùâ á· ´Å ùÅ ´·ı ë©Å´ âı Å£Å´á- commissioned by Khachatur Kecharetsi. ´â Òï üâÒ¡ ßÅ ´è, ïÎù òÅ „Å Ô·ıÒ úâ„Å Èâ Û·ı ÂÅÔÌâ Ò·Ì` As a patriotic man who was deeply con- Æ‰ÅÔ•ÅÈ ì· £· Ì·©´ ΩÅ£ùâ á·´ïØ Ö·Ò õè: cerned about the fate of his homeland, Orbelian ‡Ò ÂâÎ üÅ©Òâ ´ï ¡ï •Å ùÅ ÔÅ Ö Ò·Ì ßÔÅ ü·Ö ßÅÒá ·ı wrote the poem "Lament for Holy Katoghike (the ßâõ üÅ©Òâ ´Å ÎâÒ ÖÒâó ç Æ‡£É ï Í·ıÒÉ úÅ ë·ı £ï ùç´Ø (1300 Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin)" (1300). Here, ë.) ÉÅ´Å ÎÔâ£ õ·ıë©·ı ´è, ·ıÒ, Í·ıÒÉ åÁ ßïÅõ ´ï ÔÅ•ÅÒ´ through personification of Holy Etchmiadzin, he la- Å´° ´Å Ì·Òâ ó·Ì, ´ÒÅ Éâ ÒÅ´·Ì ·£É·ıß ç Å´ùÅ ô·ı ë©·ı ´ïÛ ments about Armenia deprived of independence ãÒ ùÌÅõ ûÅ ©ÅÎÔÅ ´ï Ìï•Å ùè, ùÅë· £ï ù·ÎÅ ùÅ´ Åë· Èï and the See of the Catholicosate in exile. Orbelian ÔÅÒÅ ÖïÒ óï´â óè, ßï Å ìÅ ßÅ ´Åù Ûï Ò·ı ÛÅ´ â£Åõ üÅ© ì·- calls upon the Armenians scattered around the £· ÌÒ áï´ ù·„ ç Å´·ıß üÅ ßÅ ôß ÉÌâó ïÒ ≠·ıÒ Áè, Å©áÔâ£ Ìâ- world to unite behind him, re-establish the royal ÒÅüÅÎ ÔÅÔâó ûÅ©·Û ëÅ ÖÅÌ· ÒÅ ùÅ´ ÖÅüè âı üÅ©ÒÅ Ââ- throne and the patriarchal seat in Siunik. ÔÅùÅ´ Åë· Èè: ñÅ ÌÅÔâ ÎÅùÅ´ ·Öâı· Ò·ıë©ÅßÉ ÅÌÅÒ- Orbelian ends his speech with optimistic Ôâ ó·Ì ïÒ ô·Î ¡è` ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´è ÖÒ·ıß ç, ·Ò âëâ inspiration, hoping that the people of Armenia úÅ ë·£ï ùâï ù·„ï´ ÅùÅ´ÁÅ ó·ıÒ óï ´â ó·Ì üÅ© ì·£· Ì·ıÒ áè will listen to the lament of Katoghike and awak- Æ¡´ïÛ ãÅÒ ë ´ïØ, ÅÂÅ ´ÒÅ ÅÂÅÖÅ´ Å©´ ¡Å´ óÅÌ ùóï- en from their slumber. Thus, they would have ´ï, ·Ò Å© óâ ıÎ ùÅ Òï¡ „ï óï´ï ´Åôùï´ ˜ÅÈ¡è üï≠â ó·ı: a better future, and there would be no need to ÇÅÛÅ Èïù ç ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï áâÒè üÅ© ÂÅÔ- remember its glorious past. ßÅ ÖÒ·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ ·„ ßïÅ©´ ·ÒÂâÎ Í©·ı´ï ¡ï ÂÅÔßï„, Stepanos Orbelian played an important role Å©óâ ı ÂÅÔß·ı ë©Å´ ´ùÅÔ ßÅßÉ üâÔÅ ã· ÔÅùÅ´ Ìâ ÒÅÉâÒ- not only as the historian of Siunik in Armenian ß·ı´¡ ·ı´â Û·£ üâ £ï´Åù: 1297-ï´ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡·ıß ÅÌÅÒ- history, but also as a researcher in this field. ÔÅõ ïÒ Æ‰ÅÔ ß·ıëïı´ ´Å üÅ´ Öï´ ÍïÎÅ ùÅ´Ø ù· ë· £Å ©ï´ In 1297 he presented the complete history Å≠ôÅ Ô·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ ´Å ´âÒùÅ ©Å Û Òâó ç Í©·ı´ï ¡ï è´áÖÒ- and geography of Siunik in the historiographic ù·ı´ ÂÅÔß·ı ë©·ı ´´ ·ı Å≠ôÅÒ üÅ ÖÒ·ı ë©·ı ´è, ·Òï üÅ ßÅÒ masterpiece "History of Siunik." ˚ÖÔÅ Ö·Òõâó ç ·„ ßïÅ©´ ´Åô·Òá ÂÅÔßï„ ´â Òï âÒùâ Òè, Orbelian used not only the sources of pre- Å©óâı áï ÌÅ ´Å ùÅ´ ´©·ı ëâÒ, ´Å ßÅù´âÒ, Ìï ßÅ ÖÒâÒ âı Å©ó´: vious historians, but also materials, letters and Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ ÂÅÔß·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ ´Å ÉÅãßï ÛÎ Å´á ÒÅáÅÒ °âó lithographs from archives. He repeatedly re- ç ßâÔÒ· Â·óï ÔÅùÅ´ Åë· ÈÅ ´ïÎÔ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï´: ÍÔ·Òâı ferred to the Metropolitan Seat of Noravank. ´âÒùÅ ©ÅÛ ´·ıß â´¡ ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï ‰ÅÔß·ı ë©Å´ See below for extracts from Orbelian’s his- ·Ò·≠ ¡Å£ ÌÅõ¡´âÒ, Å≠ ôÅÒüÅ ÉÅÒ ôß ÉÅÖÒ ÌÅõ ëÅÒÖ- tory on Noravank, translated and edited in mod- ßÅ ´·ı ë©ÅßÉ, ·Ò·´¡ Ìâ ÒÅÉâ Ò·ıß â´ ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï´: ern Armenian. úÅÒâ´ ¶Åë‹·Î©Å´ Karen Matevosyan 13 ę·őĲŏĲŇŗļ ł·őĹ / Ravine of Noravank ĔńŌĬŊĬłŐķ ě. čĬŌĬņİŋ İĻİľİōńŎ On St. Karapet Church of İŎ ě. ġńĻĬŉ ŀĬŋńŎňķ ŀĬŉķł Noravank and St. Pokas Chapel

ÍÒÅ ´ïÛ ≠ÅÔ ìÅßÅ ´Åù ´âÒ ÅÈÅÁ, ÌÅ£ ˚ÒâÒ ·ı St. Karapet Church, built of mortar, was âÒ ùÅÒ ÔÅÒï ´âÒ ï ÌâÒ Å©´ ´â£ ·ı Å´ °·ıù °· ÒÅ ù·ıß ßï erected many years ago in a picturesque loca- üÅÒ ßÅÒ Ôâ£·ıß ùÅ È·ıÛ ÌÅõ çÒ ßï âùâ £âÛï` ùÒÅ ≠Å£Åô tion of a narrow and remote ravine. ¡Å Òâ Ò·Ì` Í·ıÒÉ úÅ ÒÅÂâ Ôï Å´ ÌÅßÉ, ü·ı©ì Î¡Å´ „â- The splendors of the church were known óÅ Ö·Òõ, Åã áâÛïù ·ı Å´ ÌÅ ´ï ≠ÒÁÅ ùÅ ÎÅüßÅ´ ´â Ò·ıß: beyond its borders. A freshwater spring ran ™ÒÅ ß·Ô Éô·ıß çÒ ¡Å£Û ÒÅüÅß ßï Å£É©·ıÒ, âı ÅßÉ·£Á near it and the whole gorge was covered with °· Òè ãÅÒáÅÒ ÌÅõ çÒ Å©Öï ´â Ò·Ì ·ı ëÅ´ ° ÒÅôïÔ ÂÔ £Å- orchards. Ô·ı õÅ ÈâÒ·Ì: Another church named after Patriarch Po- ™·ı©´ °· Ò·ıß, ôïÔ ¡ÅÒÅ ù·ı©Ôâ Òï ßâÁ ùÅÒ ´Å âı ßï kas was built in the same gorge. Water con- Å©ó âùâ£â Ûï` ùÅÈ·ıÛ ÌÅõ ˆ·ùÅÎ Î·ıÒÉ üÅ©ÒÅ Ââ Ôï taining medicinal oil flowed from beneath the Å´ ÌÅßÉ: àı âùâ £âÛ·ı ßâÁ, Éâßï ÔÅùïÛ ßï ¡ï„ Á·ıÒ çÒ altar of this church. Old legends tell that it mi- Éô·ıß, ·Òï üâÔ É·ı ìï„ °âë çÒ á·ıÒÎ ÖÅóïÎ: ÍÒÅ ßÅÎï´ raculously effected cures; it healed diseases ≠ÅÔ üï´ ÅÌÅ´á·ı ë©·ı´ ´â ÒïÛ ïßÅ ÛÅ´¡, ëâ Î·ıÒÉ üÅ©- that people suffered from, like leprosy and de- ÒÅÂâÔ ˆ·ùÅ Îï ´≠ ôÅÒ´â ÒïÛ ÉâÒÌâó ·ı Å©´ Ôâ£ çÒ ëÅ£- caying wounds. Hopefuls came here to wash Ìâó, ·Òï Å´ÌÅßÉ çó Ôâ£è ˆ·ùÅÎ ù·„ÌâÛ: ÜÅ ãÅÒßÅ ´Å- themselves and anoint their bodies with oil, óï üÒÅ≠¡ ´âÒ çÒ ùÅ ÔÅÒ·ıß. Åßâ´ Ôâ ÎÅùï ÛÅ Ìâ Òè, ·Ò·´Û after which they were cured. Meanwhile, those É·ıì·ı ßè ßÅÒá ùÅ´Û ù·£ßïÛ Å´ü ´Å Òï´ çÒ, ï´„ÂâÎ Ö·- who were close to death immediately passed á·ıë©·ı ´´ ·ı É·Ò· Ô·ı ë©·ı ´è, âÒ ùÅÒ ìÅ ßÅ ´ÅùÌÅ ´âôÅõ away. ·ı ÅÂÅùÅ´ ÌÅõ ÌâÒ ¡âÒè, üÅ ÌÅÔ·Ì Å©ÎÔâ£ âù·£´âÒ´ That is why this miraculous place was Å©á ÁÒ·Ì óÌÅÛ ÌâóïÎ ·ı °â ë·Ì ˚õÌâ óïÎ É·ıì Ì·ıß çï´, ïÎù known throughout the country. ßâÈ ´â ó·ı â´ ëÅ ùÅ´â Òè` Å´ßï ÁÅ ÂâÎ ÌÅ ô •Å´ Ì·ıß çï´: Ä©Î ÂÅÔ •ÅÈ·Ì çó Å©á Ôâ£ï üÅßÉÅ Ìè ôïÎÔ üÈ „ÅùÌÅõ çÒ ÅßÉ·£Á âÒù Ò·ıß: On the Construction of St. Stepanos Nakhavka

In 1216, Fr. Sarkis laid the foundation of ě. ěŋİŏĬłńŉ ĔĬĹĬŊĻĬ İĻİľİōńŎ a picturesque church called Noravank by or- ĻĬňńŎōŀĬł ŀĬŉķł der of Elikum, the son of Grand Prince Liparit from the renowned Orbelian dynasty of Geor- ÓâÒ ÍÅÒÖï Îè ÌâÛ üÅ Ò©·ıÒ ÌÅëÎ·ı´ üï´Ö ëÌÅùÅ- gia. He had the majestic church of St. Stepanos 14 ´ï´ (1216 ë.) ™· ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡·ıß Öâ£Å Ôâ Îïó âùâ£â Û·ı üïß¡ Nakhavka built with eight circular altars inside. Ġ. ĒĲőĲŋĶŐĠ. ĶŀĶŃĶŔ·ŕ ĲŏĶőĲŀŇĶőĹ Ķŕ ĠŐĶŖĲŇ·Ŏ Ġ. ĶŀĶŃĶŔļŇ Ruins of St. Karapet Church and the church of St. Stepanos

ç á´·ıß` üÒÅßÅ ´·Ì ·ı ˚ìÅ´áÅ ù·ı ë©ÅßÉ àóï ù·ıßï, ·Ò After many productive and significant ·Ò áï´ çÒ ßâõ ï≠ôÅ ´ÅÛ ï≠ôÅ´ ñï ÂÅ ÒïÔï, ÏÒÅÛ Å≠- works, Fr. Sarkis left for Cilicia, to the devout ôÅÒüïÛ âùÅõ ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å´ ßâõ ´ÅüÅ ÂâÔÅ ùÅ´ Ô·ü ßïÛ: King Hetum of Armenia. The king received him ®·ë ÔÅ Òï Å≠ ôÅÔâ ó·Ì ÅÌÅÒÔ·ıß ç üÒÅ ≠ÅùâÒÂ ùâÒÔ- with great honors and gave him Mlich as a re- ÌÅõ¡·Ì, ´âÒÎ·ıß ·ıë ô·ÒüÒ áÅ Ì·Ò ô· ÒÅ´ ´âÒ ·ı´â Û·£ sort. After he had performed his best endeav- Í·ıÒÉ ™ÅôÅÌ ùÅ©ï Å´ ÌÅßÉ âùâ £âÛï´: ™Å ÉÅã·ıß ÅÒ- ors there, he went to the holy city of Jerusalem á©·ı´Å ÌâÔ ·ı âÒâıâ óï Ö·Ò õâ ÒïÛ üâÔ· Ö´·ıß ç úïóï ùïÅ, ûÅ- to see the Tomb of Our Lord and Savior Jesus ©·Û ÉÅ ÒâÂÅ≠Ô ÅÒ¡Å ûâ ë·ıßï ß·Ô: ™ÒÅ´ïÛ ßâõ ÂÅÔïÌ- Christ. ´â Òï ç ÅÒ ìÅ ´Å´·ıß âı üÅ´ ÖÎÔ©Å´ Ôâ£ ÎÔÅ´·ıß ÅÌÅÖ While worshiping the ground God had ¶óï •è: Ä©´Ôâ£ ≠ÅÔ •Ö ´â ó·Ì Ö´ÅÛ àÒ·ı ÎÅ£âß Î·ıÒÉ walked on, Fr. Sarkis found the right hand of ¡Å£Å ¡è, ßâÒ ÄÎ ÔÌÅõ âı ˆÒùï„ ûï Î·ıÎ ΩÒïÎÔ· Îï Öâ Òâã- St. Stephen the Protomartyr. He got it from a ßÅ ´è: àÒ ùÒÂÅ Öâ ó·Ì ÄÎÔõ·ı ¡Å©ó Åõ Ôâ £â Òï´` Å©ÎÔâ£ Catholic, since the Catholics controlled the ÖÔ ´·ıß ç Å´Öï´ ÂÅÒ Öâ ıè` Î·ıÒÉ ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ™Å ôÅÌ ùÅ- Holy City at that time. The inscription in Latin, ©ï ÅÁè, âı ÌâÒÛ ´·ıß ç ßï ˝ÒÅ´ùïÛ, ¡Å´ï ·Ò Å©´ ìÅ ßÅ- Greek and Assyrian read that the right hand ´Åù ˝ÒÅ´ù´âÒ´ çï´ Ôï Ò·ıß Î·ıÒÉ ¡Å £Å¡ï´: ÄÁï ÌÒÅ belonged to St. Stephen. ˝ÒÅ´ù, ü·ı©´ ·ı ÅÎ· Òï ÖÒ·Ì ÖÒÌÅõ çÒ, ëâ Î·ıÒÉ ÍÔâ˜Å- Thus, he sent it to the church of Noravank, ´·Î ™Å ôÅÌ ùÅ©ï ´´ ç: Ä©´ ·ı£ÅÒ ù·ıß ç ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï Î·ıÒÉ where it is presently kept. ·ıô Ôè, ·Òè âı ùÅ Å©´ Ôâ£, Î·ıÒÉ âùâ£â Û·ı ßâÁ:

From a Colophon Written in ěŋİŏĬłńŉ ģŌĭİĸŁĬłķ Noravank by Stepanos Orbelian ņĬŋŀńŎĵŁĬł` ĔńŌĬŊĬłŐńŎŀ ĮŌŊĬĺ We’ve written this sweet story referring to ļķŃĬŋĬĻĬŌĬłķō the ancestors’ notes concerning only the land of Sissian, entitled "Book of Memories." We’ve ÑÒâÛï´¡ Å©Î ¡Å£Û ÒÅô·Î ÂÅÔß·ı ë©·ı ´è ÌùÅ©Å- left it as an indelible monument for the times to Éâ Òâ ó·Ì ´Åô ´©ÅÛ áÂ Ò·ıë©Å´ üï ≠ÅÔÅ ùÅ ÒÅ´ ´â Òè, ·„ come, for the establishment of the Holy Patriar- è´áüÅ´ ÒÅ ùÅ´, Å©ó ßï Å©´ Íï ÎÅùÅ´ Å≠ ôÅÒüï´ ÌâÒÅ- chal See of Siunik as well as for the churches Éâ Ò·£, ·Ò ù·„Ì·ıß ç Æûï ≠ÅÔÅ ùÅÛ ßÅÔ©Å´Ø: àı ë·£â Ûï´¡ under its trusteeship. This book was written in ÎÅ ·Ò ÂâÎ Å´ Á´ Áâóï ü·ı≠ ÅÒ °Å´ âı Ö·Ìâ óï üï ≠ÅÔÅù 1297, in the sublime and celebrated monastery ÅÂÅÖÅ ìÅßÅ ´Åù ´â Òï´, Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ Î·ıÒÉ âı ˜Å ÈÅ üâ£ of Noravank, under the protection of these tem- Äë· Èï üÅÎÔÅ Ô·ı ë©Å´ âı ´ÒÅ ô´Åß¡ï ´âÒ¡· â£Åõ âùâ- ples and holy crosses, in severe days when we £âÛï ´â Òï ÂÅ©õÅ È·ı ë©Å´ üÅßÅÒ: 15 ÄÒá` ´©·ıëâ Òè üÅ ÌÅ¡ Ìâó·ıÛ üâ Ô· ÖïÒ¡è ≠Å ÒÅáÒ- were overwhelmed with anxiety, gazing intent- ÌâÛÞ ßâÒ ûÅ©·Û ëÌÅùÅ ´·ı ë©Å´ ÔÅÎ´ „·ÒÎ ü·Éâ ó©Å ´ï´ ly at the heavens. (14x50=700) âı ¡Å ÈÅ Î·ı´ÌâÛ (700+46+551=1297) ëÌï´Þ So, I’m kneeling to beg Your Holinesses ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï Å©Î ÌÎâß âı ˜ÅÈÅ É ´Åù ·ıô Ô·ıß, ÅÎ ÔÌÅ- that I be remembered and not be neglected õÅ É ´Åù Å©Î ÔÅ •ÅÒ ´â Òï ·ı ÅÎÔ ÌÅ õÅ ùïÒ ôÅ„â Òï ü·- or consigned to oblivion when I’ll have been ÌÅ ´Å Ì·Ò·ı ë©Å´ ´âÒ¡·, ´ì áâü âı áÅÈ´Å áÅ ìÅ´ ˚Òâ- turned into dust. Consider me a beggar then Ò·ıß, âÒÉ ÖÔ ´ Ì·ıß çï´¡ üÅ ßÅ ÔÅÒÅõ ÔÅÖ ´Å Âï ßâÁ, who asks you to remember him once in the ßï≠Ô âÈÅùï áï ßÅá Ò·£Å ùÅ ´·ı ë©ÅßÉ` Å„¡´âÒÎ üÅÈÅõ Divine Liturgy. ßïÅ©´ âÒù ´Å©ï´ ô´ÅßÅ ÔÅÒ·ı ë©Å ´è: ÜÒÅ üÅßÅÒ ÖâÔ- In case you find mistakes or faults in this ´Å ÔÅÒÅõ ô´ á Ò·ıß âß ÎÒÉÅ ãÅ´ ´â Òïá áÅ Îâ Òï´, ·Ò ßâã book, do not rebuke us, for to err is human. üï≠ ßÅ´ ÅÒ ìÅ ´ÅÛ´â¡ âı „Å´ Ôâ Îâ¡ ïß Å´ ç ·ı ë©·ı ´è, âÒÉ Rather, correct our mistakes with temperance ü·£Å ÛÅõ óï ´âß Å´ ô ´Åß Öâ ÒâãßÅ ´·ıß, Å©ó üÅ ßÅÒâ¡, and forgive us with divine love… ·Ò °âÒ Å„¡ï ÅÈÅÁ ß·ı ÒÅÛùÅ ´ï ´ßÅ´ ˜â ≠Î ÌâÒ ÉÈ- And the merciful God will have mercy on ´Åõ` ≠Å ÈÅÖ·ı ´Åõ áâß¡·Ì ·ı Ì≠ ÔÅüÅÒ âÒâ Î·Ì °âãÅ- all of you in the next life. ´ïÛ ·£·Ò ß·ıë©Å´ ˜≠ ÒÅ´¡ ´âÒ âß ô´ á Ò·ıß, Å© Îï´ ¡´` ·ı ã·ıß âß, ·Ò ÂâÎãï ßâù Å´ ÖÅß âÒù ´Å©ï´ ã·üÅ Éâ Ò·ı- ë©Å´` ÂÅÔÅ ÒÅ Öï ÅÒìÅ ´ï Å´â¡: àı âëâ Å©Î ÖÒ ¡ï ßâÁ ï´„-·Ò ÎôÅó´âÒ ùÅß ëâ Ò·ıë©·ı´ ÖÔ´â¡, ÅÌâóï ùÅß ÂÅ- ùÅÎ, üïÌÅ´ áÅ Öï´ ßÔ ¡·Ì ßï' ÂÅ ôÅ ÒÅ ùâ¡, ·Ò·Ìüâ Ôâı ßÅÒá ùÅ©ï´ É´·ıë©Å ´è üÅ Ô·ıù ç ÎÅ©ëÅ ¡âó ·ı ÔùÅ ÒÅ- ´Åó ô·Î ¡âÒï âı Ö·Òõâ Òï ßâÁ, Å©ó ·£ÁÅ ô·ü ùÅß¡·Ì ·ı£- £â¡ âı ÅÎÔ ÌÅ õÅ©ï´ Îï Ò·Ì ´âÒâ¡ ßâãÞ àÌ á·ı¡ É·ó·Òá ·£·Ò ßÅõ ÄÎÔ õ·ıÛ ßâ ùï áïßÅÛ É©·ıÒÅ ÂÅ Ôïù ·£·Òß·ı- ë©·ı´ ùÖÔ´â¡` âÒù Ò·Òá ù©Å´ ¡·Ì1:

1 ûßßÔ. ÖÒÅ ÉÅ Òè` ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙Ò ÉâóâÅ´, ‰ÅÔ ß·ıëïı´ ´ÅüÅ´- Öï´ Íï ÎÅùÅ´, êï˝óïÎ, 1910, çÁ 344, 346-347, 506-508, Å≠ôÅÒ üÅÉÅ Òè` ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙Ò Éâó©Å´, Í©·ı ´ï¡ï ÂÅÔ- ß·ıë©·ı´, ëÅÒÖßÅ ´·ı ë©·ı ´è, ´âÒÅ õ·ı ë©·ı ´è âı õÅ´· ëÅ ÖÒ·ı ë©·ı´- ´â Òè Ä. ÄÉ ÒÅ üÅß©Å ´ï, àÒâıÅ´, 1986, çÁ 285, 287, 392-393: ĆĲŏļĺļ ŇĶőŎĹ, ·őŐĶŃ ĴŐŇŏ·ŕŅ ĸ ĠŐĶŖĲŇ·Ŏ ĨőĳĶĽņĲŇļ ŐĲŋĲŇĲŗĲőĹ Inside the narthex, where the tombstone of Stepanos Orbelian is located

16 17 ÍïÒÅ´âÎ ÌÅÒáÂâÔ Architect Siranes

φïÒÅ ´âÎ •ÅÒ ÔÅÒÅ Ââ Ôï Å´ ÌÅ´ ü´Å Ö·ı©´ üï- The oldest reference to architect Sir- ≠ÅÔÅù·ı ë©·ı ´è ÖÔ´ Ì·ıß ç ÏÅ©·Û °·Òï ÄÒÅ ÔâÎ anes has been found in an epigraphic Ö©·ı£ï ´≠Å ´Å Ì·Ò ÌÅ´¡ï ÅÒ°Å ´Å Ö Ò·ıë©Å´ ßâÁ. ÆÄÎ- inscription “God Bless Siranes” in the renowned Ô·ıÅõ ·£·Òßï Íï ÒÅ´ç ÎïØ: Ä©Î Ôâ£ Íï ÒÅ´âÎ •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ- monastery of the village of Arates, Vayots Dzor. ÂâÔï ≠ï ´Åõ ÖÅÌï ëè õÅÌÅ ó·Ì ßâõ „ç, ÉÅ©Û ôÅ„Ì·£ The narthex built here by Siranes is not large. ùÅ ßÅÒ ´â Òï ˜Å© ó·ı´ Ö·Ò õÅá Ò·ıß·Ì âı ãÅÒ áÅÒÅ´¡ ´â- Brilliant execution of vaults, decorations and Òï ·ı Åß É·£Á ≠â´¡ï ô´Åß ¡·Ô ·ı ÉÅÒ° ÒÅÒ ÌâÎÔ ùÅ ÔÅ- high artistic execution of the ensemble as a Ò·ıß·Ì ÅÒáâ´ ÉÅÌÅ ùÅ´ ç Å´ ßÅ üÅÛ ´â ó·ı ßâõ ÅÒÌâÎ- whole are sufficient to immortalize the artist’s ÔÅ Öâ Ôï üÅßÉÅ Ìè: ûÅ© ùÅ ùÅ´ •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ Ô·ı ë©Å´ glory. ùÅÈ·ı Û· £ÅùÅ´ °â ıâ ÒïÛ Å©á óÅÌÅ Ö·ı©´ï` ôÅ„Ì·£ ùÅ- Architect Siranes played an important role ßÅÒ ´âÒï ùÅÔÅ Ò ßÅ´ ßâÁ ïÒ ÉÅ ìï´´ ·ı ´ï ÍïÒÅ ´âÎ •ÅÒ- in the creation of crossed arches, which is re- ÔÅÒÅ Ââ Ôè: garded as one of the best constructional forms ÍïÒÅ ´âÎ •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ Ôï ùÅÈ·ı ÛÅõ âÒ ùÒ·Òá üÅ©- in Armenian architecture. Ô ´ï ü·ı ≠ÅÒ °Å´è ÖÔ´ Ì·ıß ç ÏÅ ©·Û °· Òï üÈ „Å ùÅ Ì·Ò The second outstanding monument by ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡·ıß: Siranes is the renowned Noravank in Vayots 1273 ë., âÒÉ Íß ÉÅÔ ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´è ßâÈÅÌ êÅÌÒï ã·ıß, âı Dzor. ´ÒÅ áï Å ùè Ôâ£Å ˜·ô ÌâÛ üÅ©Òâ ´ï¡, ÍßÉÅ Ôï ˜· ôÅ Òâ´ After Smbat Orbelian died in Tabriz in Ô·üßï ÅÌÅÖ ß´ÅÛÅõ ´ÒÅ â£ ÉÅ©Ò ÓÅÒÎÅ ©ï• ï≠ ôÅ´è` 1273, his body was transferred to his homeland. ÂÅÔ ßÅ ÖïÒ ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï üÅ©Òè, ·Ò·≠âó çÒ ÆÅÒ- Smbat’s brother, Prince Tarsayich Orbelian, the ¡Å©Å ≠·ı¡Ø â£ É·Ò üÅßÅÒ ´·Ò âı üÅÔ·ıù ÔÅÂÅ ´Å Ô·ı´ father of historian Stepanos Orbelian, became ùÅÈ·ı Ûâó: Ä©á ´·Ò ≠â´ ¡ï ùÅÈ·ı Û·ı ßè ´Å üÅ´ °´Å ÒÅ ÒâÛ the head of the Orbelian dynasty and decided ÍïÒÅ ´âÎ •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ ÂâÔï´: Ä©Î ÔÅÂÅ ´ÅÔÅ´ ùÅ È·ı- to build a sepulcher for his “sublime” brother. Û·ı ßè, üÅ ßÅ°Å©´ ÅÒ °Å´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©Å´, ÅÌÅÒ ÔÌâó ç 1275 Thus, Siranes was commissioned to construct ë.: ˆÅ ÎÔ· Òâ´ ÍïÒÅ ´âÎ ÌÅÒáÂâ Ôï Å©Î âÒù Ò·Òá °âÈÅ- the new building. According to the inscription, Ö·Òõè ≠ï´ ÌÅõ ç üÅÔ·ıù ´ÂÅ ÔÅù·Ì ·ı õÒÅ ÖÒ·Ì, ·Ò ÂâÎ the sepulcher was completed in 1275. ÔÅ ÂÅ´Å Ô·ı´, ÉÅ©Û Î·Ì· ÒÅ ùÅ´ ÔÅÂÅ ´ÅÔ ´â ÒïÛ ÔÅÒ- In fact, the second work by master Sir- ÉâÒÌ·ıß ç üÅ ÔÅùÅ Ö õ·Ì: ÓÅ ÂÅ´ÅÔ ´â Òè Î· Ì·ÒÅ ÉÅÒ anes was created for a definite purpose, i.e. as ÖÅÌïë ´â Òï °âı·Ì â´ ≠ï´ÌÅõ óï´·ıß, Å©Îï´ ¡´ ÅÈÅ´Û a sepulcher that differed from ordinary sepulchers in its plan. Sepulchers were usually built

Ġ. ĆőļĴ·ő ĶŀĶŃĶŔļŇ Ķŕ ĴĲŏļĺĹ / St. Gregory Church and narthex in the form of a narthex. They usually com- prised large halls with or without columns and without a dome. Every Armenian noble family built such a narthex-sepulcher next to the main monastery in their lands. However, the sepulcher by Siranes is not a narthex-sepulcher but a church-mausoleum, named after St. Gregory, with an apse and an altar for ceremonies. In spite of its simple plan, the church-mausoleum is a perfect work of art owing to its artistic concept and design. Alongside other constructions of Noravank, it may truly be considered as one of the best 13th-century monuments. After the completion of the building, Sir- anes was rewarded handsomely by Tarsayich Orbelian. A quatrain is carved along the outer northern wall of St. Gregory under the cornice, which reads: “I, Tarsayich, confirmed this script by my hand.” The inscription bears the name and signature of Tarsayich Orbelian. The name 18 of Siranes is carved as follows: “Master Sir- Öß Éâëï âı ô·ÒÅ ´ï Î©·ı´Å ãÅÒá ùÅß Å´ Î©·ı´ ßâõ ÎÒÅü- ´âÒ´âÒ â´: ûÅ©ÅÎ ÔÅ ´ï ï≠ ôÅ´Å ùÅ´ Ô·üßâ ÒïÛ ©·ı ÒÅ- ¡Å´„©·ıÒ´ ïÒ Ôï ÒÅÂâ Ô·ı ë©Å´ ÎÅü ßÅ´´â Ò·ıß, üÅÔ ùÅ- ÂâÎ Öó ôÅÌ·Ò ÌÅ´¡ï´ ùïÛ, ≠ï´·ıß çÒ Å©á Âï Îï ÖÅÌïë- ÔÅ ÂÅ´ÅÔ ´âÒ: Íï ÒÅ´â Îï ≠ï´Åõ ÔÅÂÅ ´Å Ô·ı´è ·„ ëâ ÖÅÌïë-ÔÅ ÂÅ´Å Ô·ı´ ç, Å©ó âùâ£â Ûï ÔÅ ÂÅ´Å Ô·ı´, ·Ò´ ·ı´ï ô·ÒÅ´, ìÅßÅ ÎÅ Û·ıë©Å´ üÅßÅÒ Éâß âı ù·„Ì·ıß ç Í·ıÒÉ ÑÒï Ö·Ò: ÍïÒÅ ´â Îï °â ÈÅÖ·Òõ Å©Î ÔÅ ÂÅ´Å Ô·ı´è, „´Å ©Åõ üÅÔÅ ùÅ Ö õÅ ©ï´ ÂÅÒã·ı ë©Å ´è, ùÅ ÔÅÒßÅ´ ·ı °âıÅ Ì·Ò- ßÅ´ ÔâÎÅ ùâ ÔïÛ ÅÒÌâÎ Ôï ùÅÔÅ Ò©Åó ßï Ö·Òõ ç, ÅÒìÅ - ´ï, ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï ß©·ıÎ ≠â´¡â Òï üâÔ ßïÅ Îï´, 13-Òá áÅ- Òï óÅÌÅ Ö·ı©´ ù·ë·£ ´â ÒïÛ ßâ ùè üÅßÅÒ Ìâó·ı: ÍïÒÅ ´âÎ •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ Ô´ Å©Î ùÅÈ·ı© Û´ ÅÌÅÒÔâ ó·ıÛ üâÔ· Å´ ˚ Òï- ´Åù ÅÈÅÔ ÌÅÒ °ÅÔ Ò·ı ë©·ı´ ç ÎÔÅ´·ıß ïÒ ßâùâ ´Å ÎïÛ` ÓÅÒ ÎÅ ©ï• ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ïÛ: Í. ÑÒï Ö·Òï ü©·ı Îï ÎÅ ©ï´ ÂÅ Ôï´ áÒ ÎïÛ, ¡ï Ìï ÔÅù, ÂÅ Ôï ÅßÉ·£Á âÒùÅ Ò·ıë©ÅßÉ Ôâ£Å- Ġ. ĆőļĴ·őĠ. ĶŀĶŃĶŔ·ŕ Ņ·ŕŐŗĹ / Entrance to St. Gregory Church Ì·ÒÌÅõ ç „·ÒÎ Ô· £Å ´ï Öâ£Å ÖïÒ ÅÒ °Å´Å Ö Ò·ıë©·ı´` ÓÅÒ ÎÅ ©ï• ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´ï Å´·ı´ïÛ âı ÎÔ·ÒÅ Ö Ò·ı ë©ÅßÉ (ÆàÎ anes.” The scribe of the inscription is definitely ÓÅÒ ÎÅ ©ï• ïß °â ÈÅı ¡Î üÅÎ ÔÅÔâ Ûï ãÖïÒÎ ãÅ©ÎØ), ·ıÒ Siranes, who had achieved great mastery even ÍïÒÅ ´â Îè ù·„Ì·ıß ç ÆÍî Ä™åÍ ÏÄÜ‰àÓØ: ÄÒ °Å ´ÅÖ- in this. This inscription is a telling example of Ò·ıë©Å´ ÖÒï„´ Å´≠·ı≠Ô üâ´Û ï´ ¡è Íï ÒÅ´âÎ´ ç, ·Ò´ Å©á 13th-century script. É´Å ÖÅÌÅ È·ıß ´·ı©´ ÂâÎ Û·ı©Û ç ÔÌâó ïÒ ßâõ ÅÒÌâÎ Ôè: According to it, Tarsayich Orbelian had Ä©Î ÅÒ°Å ´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©·ı ´è 13-Òá áÅÒï ÖÒ„·ı ë©Å´ óÅÌÅ- given Siranes a large parcel of land as a he- Ö·ı©´ ´ß·ı≠ ´â ÒïÛ ßâ ùè ùÅ Òâ óï ç üÅßÅ Òâó: reditary property between the Shnher and Ha- éÎÔ ÅÒ°Å ´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©Å´` ÔÅÂÅ ´Å Ô·ı´-âùâ £âÛï´ lidzor villages of Goris, as well as a serf named ÅÌÅÒ Ôâ ó·ıÛ üâÔ· ÍïÒÅ ´âÎ •ÅÒ ÔÅÒÅ Ââ Ôè ÓÅÒ ÎÅ ©ï• Aghazar of Eghverts for 500 silver coins. ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´ïÛ ÎÔÅ Ûâó ç Ñ·Òï Îï ¨´üâÒ ·ı ûÅóï °·Ò Ö©·ı£â- Taking into account this handsome re- Òï ÅÒÅ´ ¡·ıß ßï ßâõ ü·£Å ÉÅ ìï´` ïÉÒâı ìÅÈÅ´ ÖÅùÅ´ ward, we may assume that Siranes had carried Îâ ˜Å ùÅ´·ı ë©·ı´ âı 500 ÎÂïÔÅ ùï (ÅÒ õÅë) áïßÅÛ ßï out other construction work for Tarsayich and ≠ï ´Å ùÅ´-•·ÒÔ` Ä£ÅãÅÒ é£ ÌâÒõâ Ûï Å´·ı´·Ì: Smbat Orbelian. The large sepulcher-narthex in ™ùÅ Ôï ·ı ´â´Å ó·Ì Å©á ßâõ ÌÅÒ °Å ÔÒ·ı ë©·ı ´è, ùÅÒâ- front of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, the main óï ç â´ ëÅá Òâó, ·Ò ´Å ·ıÒï≠ ùÅ È·ı Û·ıß´âÒ çó ç ÅÒâó ÓÅÒ- church of Noravank, is worthy of note. It was ÎÅ ©ï• âı ÍßÉÅÔ ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å´ ´â Òï üÅßÅÒ: ÜÒÅ´ÛïÛ ÅÈÅ- built by the order of Smbat Orbelian in 1261 as Áï´ üâÒëï´ ÂïÔï üï ≠ÅÔÅ ùâó ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï Öó ôÅÌ·Ò (Í. a family crypt, where the family members and ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ™Å ôÅÌ ùÅ) âùâ £âÛ·ı áïßÅÛ ÖÔ´ Ì·£ ßâõ later clergymen (including Metropolitan Stepa- ÔÅ ÂÅ´Å Ô·ı´-ÖÅ Ìï ëè, ·Ò ≠ï´âó ç ÔÌâó Íß ÉÅÔ ˙Ò Éâó©Å- nos Orbelian) were buried. Ġ. ĆőļĴ·őĠ. ĶŀĶŃĶŔ·ŕ ŇĶőŎĹ / Interior of St. Gregory Church

19 ´è 1261 ë. ·ÒÂâÎ Ô·ü ßÅ ùÅ´ ÔÅ ÂÅ´Å Ô·ı´, ·ıÒ ëÅ£- Siranes left no signature on the walls of the Ìâó â´ Å©á Ô·üßï Å´áÅß ´â Òè, üâÔÅ ÖÅ ©·ıß` üÅÔùÅ ÂâÎ monastery. Taking into consideration the fact ü· Öâ ı· ÒÅ ùÅ´ ´â Òè (Å©á ëÌ·ıß` ßâÔ Ò·Â· óïÔ ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î that he had been the chief architect of Nora- ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´è): ÑÅ Ìï ëï ÂÅÔâ Òï´ ÍïÒÅ ´â Îï ÎÔ·ÒÅ Ö Ò·ı- vank and the Orbelian dynasty in the times of ë©·ı ´è „ùÅ, ÉÅ©Û ´ùÅ Ôï ·ı´â ´Å ó·Ì, ·Ò ´Å ÍßÉÅ Ôï ìÅ- Smbat and Tarsayich, all the construction of ßÅ ´Åù ´â ÒïÛ ÎùÎÅõ, ÅÂÅ ´Å âı ÓÅÒ ÎÅ ©ï•ï ˚Ò·¡ â£âó that period is definitely ascribed to him. ç ˙Ò Éâó©Å´ ï≠ ôÅ´Å ùÅ´ Ô·üßï âı ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï ÖóôÅ Ì·Ò Leaving aside the analysis of pure archi- •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ Ôè, Å´ùÅÎ ùÅõ Å©á ≠ÒÁÅ ´ï ùÅÈ·ı©Û ´â Òè tectural details, which may be helpful in deal- ´ÒÅ °â ÈÅÖ·Òõ ´â Òè ÂïÔï óï ´â´: ing with the problem, the lettering of the two ê·£´â ó·Ì ã·ıÔ •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ ÔÅ ùÅ´ ßÅ´ ÒÅ ßÅÎ´·ı- epigraphic inscriptions on Siranes’s reward, ë©·ı´ ´â Òï ¡´ ´·ı ë©·ı ´è, ·Òè ùÅ Ò·£ ç Å©á ô´ á Òï´ ˚ìÅ´- carved on Smbat’s sepulcher, as well as the áÅùâó, ùÅÒâ óï ç ßÅÔ´Å Û·ı©Û Å´âó ÍßÉÅ Ôï ÔÅÂÅ ´Å- identification of the lettering on the tombstones ÔÅ´ ÌÒÅ ©ï ≠ï ´Å ÒÅ ÒÅ ùÅ´ âı ÍïÒÅ ´â Îï´ ÌÅÒ °ÅÔ Òâ ó·ı of Smbat and other princes, is of great note. ßÅ Îï´ ÖÒÌÅõ âÒ ù·ı ÅÒ°Å ´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©·ı´ ´â Òï ÔÅ ÈâÒï ·•ï They differ from others. âı Íß ÉÅ Ôï ·ı Å©ó ï≠ôÅ´ ´â Òï ÔÅ ÂÅ ´Å¡Å Òâ Òï ÖÒ„·ı- These are narrow, tall and extremely beau- ë©Å´ ·•ï ´·ı©´·ı ë©·ı ´è, ·Ò·´¡ ôïÎÔ ÔÅÒÉâÒ Ì·ıß â´ ß´Å- tiful letters. ÛÅõ´â ÒïÛ: ÜÒÅ´¡ ´â£ ·ı ÉÅÒ°Ò, „Å˜Å ãÅ´Û Öâ£â Ûïù The name of Siranes has been preserved ÔÅÈÅ °â ıâÒ â´: on cross-stones erected on the farm that he ÍïÒÅ ´â Îï Å´·ı ´è ÂÅüÂÅ´ Ìâó ç ´Åâı ·Ò ÂâÎ ÌÅÒ- had received as a reward. One of the cross- °ÅÔ Ò·ı ë©·ı´ ´ÒÅ´ ÔÒ ÌÅõ ùÅóÌÅõ¡-ÅÖÅ ÒÅ ù·ıß ùÅ´ Ö- stones was erected by Siranes and his broth- ´âÛÌÅõ ôÅ„¡Å Òâ Òï ÌÒÅ: ÜÒÅ´ÛïÛ ßâùè Íï ÒÅ´â Îè âı er Hzarmel in memory of their parents, Gorki ´ÒÅ â£ÉÅ©Ò ûãÅÒßâ óè ùÅ´Ö ´â Û Òâó â´ ï üï≠Å ÔÅù ïÒâ´Û (Gevorg) and Tenik. õ´·£ ´â Òï` Ñ·Ò¡ï (Ñâ ı·ÒÖ) âı êâ´ï ùï: This material is excerpted from Medieval ™©·ı ëè ÂÅÔÒ ÅÎ ÔÌâó ç èÎÔ Í. ÇÅÒ ô·ıáÅ Ò©Å ´ï Armenian Architects and Stonemasons, S. Æ¶ïÁ´Å áÅ Ò©Å´ üÅ© •ÅÒ ÔÅÒÅ ÂâÔ´âÒ âı ¡ÅÒÖ·Òõ Barkhoudarian,Yerevan, 1963, pp. 62-75. ÌÅÒ ÂâÔ´âÒØ ÖÒ¡ï (àÒâıÅ´, 1963, çÁ 62-75): Tombstones of Smbat and Elikum Orbelian in St. Gregory Church ĠŅĳĲŐ Ķŕ ĊĽļŀ·ŕŅ ĨőĳĶĽņĲŇŇĶőļ ŐĲŋĲŇĲŗĲőĶőĹ ĆőļĴ·ő Ġ. ĶŀĶŃĶŔ·ŕŅ

20 21 §ÅÒÔÅÒÅÂâÔ Architect Momik ¶·ßïù Architect, sculptor, scribe and illus- úâ´ ÎÅÖ ÒÅ ùÅ´ ´·Ò ÔÌ©Åó´âÒ trator Momik is truly considered the forerunner of the Armenian Renaissance. The first records on his life date back to 1284, ΏÅã ßÅ≠ ´·Òü ÅÒ ÌâÎÔÅ ÖâÔ` •ÅÒ ÔÅÒÅ ÂâÔ, found in a colophon from Gladzor (Monastery ¡Å´áÅ ùÅ Ö·Òõ, ÖÒï„ âı ßÅ´ ÒÅ´ ùÅÒï„ of Aghberts). He could have been a student of ¶·ßï ù´ ïÒÅÌÅßÉ üÅßÅÒ Ì·ıß ç üÅ© ùÅ ùÅ´ Ïâ ÒÅõ ´´ áï the Gladzor University then. ÈÅü Ìï ÒÅ´â ÒïÛ ßâùè: ÄÈÅ Áï´ üï≠Å ÔÅù·ı ë©·ı ´è ´ÒÅ In the colophon of the Noravank Gospel of ßÅ Îï´ 1284 ëÌÅùÅ ´ïÛ ç, ÑóÅ°· Ò·ıß (Ä£ ÉâÒÛ ÌÅ´¡) ÖÒ- 1292, Momik mentioned that he was a deacon. ÌÅõ ßï °â ÈÅÖ Òï ô· ÒÅ ´ï ˜·¡ Òïù üï ≠ÅÔÅ ùÅ ÒÅ´·ıß` Besides Armenian, Momik wrote his name in Æã¶· ßïù ´ùÅ Òï„ ô·ÒÅ ´ïÎ ©ï ≠âÛâ¡, Å£Å„âßØ: ûÅ ÌÅ ´Å- Greek too. On his architectural and sculptural ùÅ´ ç, ·Ò Å©á ìÅßÅ ´Åù ´Å ÑóÅ °·Òï üÅ ßÅ ó ÎÅÒÅ ´ï creations Momik used to inscribe "vardpet" ÎÅ´â ÒïÛ çÒ: (Master Momik). This caused a misunderstand- 1292 ë. ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡·ıß ´ùÅÒÅ ãÅÒ áÅõ ÄÌâÔÅ ÒÅ- ing at the time; people misinterpreted the in- ´ï üï ≠ÅÔÅ ùÅ ÒÅ ´·ıß ´Å ´≠·ıß ç, ·Ò ÎÅÒ ùÅ ÌÅÖ ç: ûÅ©â- scription, considering Momik a "vardapet," a Òâ´ üï≠Å ÔÅ ùÅ ÒÅ´ïÛ ÉÅ Ûï, ´Å Å©Î ßÅÔ©Å ´·ıß Å´·ı ´è celibate priest. Meanwhile, it has been estab- ÖÒâó ç ´Å âı ü·ı´Å Òâ´: îÎù •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ ÔÅ ùÅ´ ·ı ¡Å´- lished that "vardpet" also means architect in áÅùÅ Ö·Ò õÅ ùÅ´ Å≠ ôÅÔÅ´¡ ´â Ò·ıß ÅÒÌâÎ ÔÅ Öâ Ô´ ïÒ Armenian. Å´·ı´ïÛ üâ Ô· ÖÒ·ıß ç ÆÌÅÒá ÂâÔØ (¶· ßïù ÌÅÒáÂâÔ): ¶ï Momik was the painter and architect of the ìÅ ßÅ ´Åù Å©á ßÅ ùÅÖ Ò·ıë©·ı´ ´â Òè ÎôÅó ùÅÒáÅ ó·Ì famous Orbelian house of princes. His clientele ¶·ßï ùï´ üÅßÅ Òâó â´ ÌÅÒáÅ ÂâÔ, ßï´„áâÈ üïß´Å Ì·ÒÅ- included not only noblemen but also the met- ÂâÎ ÅÂÅÛ·ıÛ ÌÅõ ç, ·Ò ÆÌÅÒá ÂâÔØ ÉÅÈè ´≠Å´Å ù·ıß ç ropolitans of Siunik. •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ ÂâÔ: Illustrated manuscripts by Momik (the ¶·ßï ùè ´≠Å´Å Ì·Ò ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å´ ï≠ôÅ ´Å ùÅ´ ÔÅ´ Gospel of 1292 and 1302) refer to the early pe- ´ùÅÒï„ •ÅÒ ÔÅÒÅ Ââ Ô´ ç â£âó, ´ÒÅ ÂÅÔ Ìï ÒÅ Ô·ı´â ÒïÛ riod of his creative life. His first work was the çï´ ·„ ßïÅ©´ ï≠ôÅ´ ´â Òè, Å© óâı Å©á Ô·üßïÛ Îâ Ò·£ Í©·ı- Gospel of Noravank (Matenadaran, ms. #2848), ´©ÅÛ ßâÔÒ· Â·óïÔ ´â Òè: which offers certain insights into his art. ¶·ßï ùï ´ùÅÒÅ ãÅÒ áÅõ °âÈÅ Ö Òâ Òè (1292 âı 1302 The manuscripts are notable for their size, ëÌÅ ùÅ´ ´â Òï ÄÌâÔÅ ÒÅ´ ´âÒ) Ìâ ÒÅÉâ Ò·ıß â´ ´ÒÅ ÎÔâ£- color, harmonious composition, simplicity of õÅÖ·Ò õ·ı ë©Å´ ÌÅ£ ≠ÒÁÅ ´ï´: ÄÈÅÁï ´è` ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï ornamentation and massive figures. ÄÌâ ÔÅÒÅ ´è (¶ÅÔâ ´ÅáÅ ÒÅ´, °âÈ. ëïÌ 2848), ·Ò·≠Å ùï The master’s monumental works express ÂÅÔùâ ÒÅÛ·ıß ç ÔÅóïÎ ¶· ßïùï ÅÒ ÌâÎÔï ßÅÎï´: †â ÈÅÖ- his predilection for architecture and sculpture. Ò·ıß ÅÈ ùÅ ßÅ´ÒÅ ´ ùÅÒ´âÒ´ Å„¡ï â´ è´ ù ´·ıß ß·´·ı ßâ´- In 1302, by the order of Stepanos Orbelian, ÔÅ ó·ıë©ÅßÉ, Ö·ı´Å ©ï´ ´âÒáÅ≠ ´Å ù·ı ë©ÅßÉ, ãÅÒáÅ ´ ùÅ- the Metropolitan of Siunik, Momik (Matenada- Òï üÎÔÅ ù·ı ë©ÅßÉ ·ı ùâÒÂÅÒ ´â Òï ãÅ´Ö ÌÅ õâ£·ı ë©ÅßÉ: ran, ms. #6792) illuminated a gospel of unusu- ‰ÅÔùâÒ ´â Òï è´á üÅ ´·ıÒ ù· ë·£Å© ´·ıë©·ı ´è ü·ı ≠·ıß ç ally small size. Its dimensions are 12 x 8.5 cm. ´ùÅÒ „ï •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ ÔÅ ùÅ´ ·ı ¡Å´áÅ ùÅ Ö·ÒõÅ ùÅ´ In a narrow margin, Momik masterly rendered ´ÅôÅ Îï Ò·ı ë©·ı´ ´â Òï ßÅÎï´: the main scenes of the Lord’s life. These manu- 1302 ëÌÅ ùÅ´ï´ ¶· ßïùè Í©·ı´©ÅÛ ßâÔÒ· Â· óïÔ ÍÔâ- scripts contain both traditional and innovative ˜Å ´·Î 0ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï ÂÅÔÌâ Ò·Ì ´ùÅ ÒÅãÅÒ áâó ç Å´Î· Ì·Ò elements of iconography. ˜·¡Ò „Å˜â Òï ßï ÄÌâ ÔÅÒÅ´ (¶ÅÔâ ´Å áÅ ÒÅ´, °âÈ. ëïÌ Momik created monumental and emo- 6792): éÎÔ âÒâı·ı© ëï´ Å©´ ´ÅôÅ ÔâÎ ÌÅõ ç â£âó ÖÒÂÅ- tional characters. The harmonious use of gold ´·ıß ÂÅ üâó·ı üÅ ßÅÒ: êâÒ ëâ Òï è´á üÅ ´·ıÒ „Å˜âÒ´ â´ imparts an air of luxury to the scenes. How- 12 x 8, 5 Îß, ·Ò·´Û ßâÁ, ÅÌâ óï ˜· ¡Ò ´ùÅÒÅ áÅ≠ Ô·ıß, ever, Momik was an acknowledged architect. ¶·ßï ùè ãÅÒßÅ ´Å óï ÌÅÒ ÂâÔ·ı ë©ÅßÉ ÂÅÔ ùâ Òâó ç ÄÌâ- Although his name has only been preserved ÔÅÒÅ ´ï Ôâ Ò·ı ´Å ùÅ´ ÂÅÔùâ ÒÅ ≠Å Òï üïß ´Å ùÅ´ Ôâ- in the epigraphic inscription of St. Astvatsatsin ÎÅÒÅ´ ´âÒè: Ä©á ßÅ´ÒÅ ´ ùÅÒ´â Òè ´âÒùÅ ©ÅÛ ´·ıß â´ Church (1321) of Areni, it is beyond doubt that ÂÅÔùâ ÒÅÖ ÒÅ ùÅ´` ï´„ÂâÎ ÅÌÅ´áÅ ùÅ´, Å©´ ÂâÎ çó he was commissioned to carry out other con- ´·ÒÅ ÒÅ ÒÅùÅ´ ÔÅÒ ÒâÒ ·ı ´â Û·£ ·ı≠Å Ö ÒÅÌ ü·Òï´ ÌÅõ¡- structions as well. 22 ´âÒ: ¶· ßïùï ÎÔâ£õÅõ ÂÅÔùâÒ ´â Òè ù· ë·£Å ©ï´ â´, ùâÒ- According to experts, the church of St. ĄŇŏĲŇĲĺĶőĺ (ėĲŐĶŇĲĵĲőĲŇ N2848, 247Ĳ) / Title page (Matenadaran ms. N2848, 247a) 23 ÂÅÒ´â Òè` ãÖÅÛß·ı´ ¡Å©ï´: Ñ·ı´Å ≠Å Ò·ıß ·Î ù·ı ´âÒáÅ≠- ´Åù ˚Ö ÔÅ Ö·Òõ·ı ßè Ôâ ÎÅÒÅ´ ´â Òï´ ÂÅÔ ≠Å• ≠¡â £·ı- ë©·ı´ ç üÅ £·Òá·ıß: ÍÅùÅ©´ ¶· ßïùè üÈ„Åù ÌÅõ ç â£âó üÅÔùÅ ÂâÎ ·Ò ÂâÎ •ÅÒ ÔÅÒÅ ÂâÔ: êâ âı ´ÒÅ Å´·ı´è ÂÅü ÂÅ´ Ìâó ç ßïÅ©´ ßâù âùâ£â Û·ı ≠ï´Å ÒÅ ÒÅùÅ´ ÅÒ°Å ´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ, ·Òè ÄÒâ´ïï Í. ÄÎ ÔÌÅ õÅõï ´´ ç (1321 ë.), ÎÅùÅ©´ Å´- ùÅÎùÅõ ´ÒÅ´ â´ üÅ´ °´Å ÒÅÒ Ìâó ´Åâı Å©ó ùÅ È·ı©Û ´âÒ: ˙Òï´Åù, Í©·ı ´ï ¡ï ßâÔ Ò· Â·óïÔ ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´ï` ÓÅ ëâ ı·ıß ùÅÈ·ı ÛÅõ Í. ÑÒïÖ·Ò ñ·ıÎÅ Ì· Òï„ ˜·¡Ò âùâ- £âÛï´, ·Òè ßÅÎ´Å ÖâÔ ´â Òï üÅß·ã ßÅßÉ ¶·ßï ùï °âÈÅ- ùâÒÔ´ ç: Ä©ÎÔâ£ ´Å ï´ ¡´Å ÔïÂ °âıÅ Ì·Ò·ıß ç ˚ÖÔÅ Ö·Ò- õâó ÅÒâ ıâ ó©Å´ ù·£ ß·ıß, ·ıÒ áâÂï ô·ÒÅ´ ç ÉÅÛ Ì·ıß âÒ ù·ı ôÅ „Å°âı ÂÅ Ô·ı üÅ´: §ï≠Ô ´·ı©´ °â ı·Ì â´ ÂÅÔÒ ÅÎ Ô ÌÅõ ÄÒâ´ïï âùâ £âÛ·ı ô·ÒÅ ´·ıß ÉÅÛ Ì·£ ã·ı©Ö ÂÅ Ô·ı üÅ´- ´â Òè: ÓÅëâ ı·ıß âùâ £âÛ·ı ß·ıÔ¡ï •Å ùÅ Ôè ãÅÒáÅÒ Ìâó ç õÅ£ ùÅ ü©·ıÎ üÅÒ áÅÒÅ´ ¡·Ì, ïÎù ÄÒâ ´ï ·ıß É·ıÎÅ ùÅ´ ãÅÒáâ Òè °·ıó Ìâó â´ ˝·´ï´` üïß ´Å ùÅ´ Ôâ £è ãïÁâ ó·Ì ùâÒ- ÂÅ ÒÅ©ï´ ¡Å´áÅù ´â Òï´: Ä©Î Ôâ£ õÅ£ ùÅ ü©·ıÎ ô·Ò¡ï ÌÒÅ ÂÅÔùâÒ ÌÅõ ç Ö·ÒÖï´ ´ÎÔÅõ ÄÎÔ ÌÅ õÅ ßÅ©Òè` ßÅ- ´·ıù ûï Î·ıÎè ÖÒ ùï´: ¶·ßï ùï è´áüÅ ´·ıÒ ÎÔâ£õÅ Ö· Òõ·ı ë©Å ´è õÅ ´·ëÅ- ´Åó·ıÛ üâ Ô· ÂÅÒã ç áÅÈ´·ıß, ·Ò ´Å „çÒ Îï Ò·ıß ùÒ ù ´˚ Òï- ´Å ùâó ·ı Òï≠´â Òï´, Å©ó üÅ´áâÎ çÒ ÉâÒ·ıß ÎÔâ£õÅ Ö·Ò õÅ- ùÅ´ ß· Ôâ Û·ıß: ûâ´Û ßïÅ©´ ÓÅëâ ıï âı ÄÒâ´ïï ô· ÒÅ´ ´â- Òï ó·ıÎÅ ß·ıÔ ´â Òï ´·ı© ´Å ùÅ ´·ı ë©·ı ´è ÉÅ ÌÅùÅ´ ç ÅÎâó·ı, ·Ò áÒÅ´¡ ´·ı©´ •ÅÒ ÔÅÒÅ Ââ Ôï ßÔÅü£Å Û·ı ß´ â´, ¡Å´ï

·Ò ¶· ßïùè „çÒ è´ á˚ Òï ´Å ùï ·ıÒï≠ ßâ ùï´: ÍÒÅ´ ÂâÔ¡ ç ĝő·ľ·ő·Ň ĲňĲŀĶőŐ ĄŏĶŐĲőĲŇļŊļ ē·ŏŁĲŇŇĶŎ Prokhoron, pupil of John the Evangelist ÅÌâ óÅÛ ´âó Å©´, ·Ò ÓÅ ëâ ıï âùâ £âÛ·ı ùÅÈ·ı Û·£ ÍÔâ˜Å- Gregory the Illuminator in Datev, built by the ´·Î ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´è ´Å âı ¶·ßï ùï ü· ÌÅ ´Å Ì·Ò´ ·ı ÂÅÔ Ìï ÒÅ- order of the Metropolitan of Siunik Stepanos Ô·ı´ çÒ, ·ıÎÔï ÓÅ ëâıï âùâ£â Û·ı •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ Ôï ·Ò·≠ ßÅ´ Orbelian, is the work of Momik. üÅÒ Û·ıß ·ı Òï≠ ßâùï´ ÖÔ´â ó·ı ùÅÒï¡ „·ı´âÒ: Here Momik designed a unique decora- ÏâÒÅ áÅÈ ´Å ó·Ì ÄÒâ´ïï âùâ£â Û·ı´ ÅÌâ óÅÛ ´â´¡, tion on the eastern face, with two cross-shaped ·Ò Å©´ ùâ´ ÔÒ· ´Å Öß Éâë ≠ï´·ı ë©·ı´ ç, ·Òè ´ßÅ ´Å ÔïÂ lintels that open towards the altar. The two altar ùÅÈ·ı©Û ´â Òï üÅßâ ßÅ Ô·ı ë©ÅßÉ ·ı´ï üÅÔÅ ùÅ Ö õÅ ©ï´ âı lintels of the church of Ani are constructed in üÅÒáÅ ÒÅ´ ¡ï ©·ıÒÅ üÅÔ ù·ı ë©·ı´´âÒ: àãÅùï â´ ï´ Ôâ Òï- exactly the same manner. âÒ·ıß` ßïÅ ù Ô·Ò ¡ÅÒïÛ ÂÅÔ ÒÅÎ Ô ÌÅõ ÅÈÅÖÅÎÔ ´â Òï Floral ornaments are carved on the tym- ÌÒÅ Ôâ£Å Ì·Ò ÌÅõ „·ÒÎ ÅÌâ ÔÅÒÅ ´ï„ ´â Òï ô·Ò üÒáÅ ´- panums of Datev; these elements fuse with the ≠Å´ ´â Òï ¡Å´áÅù ´â Òè` ëâıÅ Ì·Ò ßÅÒ áè, âãè, ÅÈ©·ı õ´ background, providing room for the figures. ·ı ÅÒõï Ìè: Here, against the background of garlands, the ¶·ßï ùï´ ÅÈÅ Ìâó üÈ „Åù Éâ ÒÅõ ÌÅ©Òè ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡´ Virgin is seated on a carpet with baby Jesus ç, ·Òè Í©·ı´© ÅÛ ßâÔÒ· Â·óïÔ ´â Òï Åë· ÈÅ´ïÎ Ô´ çÒ, ˙ÒÉâ- on her lap. ó©Å´´â Òï ü· Öâ ı·Ò ùâ´ ÔÒ· ´´ ·ı áÅßÉÅ ÒÅ´Å ÌÅ© Òè: Upon closer observation, it becomes evi- ÏÅ´¡ï Öó ôÅÌ·Ò âùâ£â Û·ı ÅÒâıß Ô©Å´ ßÅÎ·ıß 1261 ë. dent that Momik preferred creativity to copying ùÅÈ·ıÛ ÌÅõ ÖÅ Ìï ëè 14-Òá áÅ Òï ÎùãÉ ´â Òï´ ´·Ò·Ö Ìâó ç, others. ãÅÒáÅÒ Ìâó ß·ıÔ ¡ï âı ÂÅÔ·ı üÅ ´ï •Å ùÅ ÔÅùÅó ÎÅ óâ Òï The similarity of altar lintels in Datev and ¡Å´ áÅù´â Ò·Ì, ·Ò·´Û üâ£ï ´Åù ç üÅßÅÒ Ì·ıß ¶· ßïùè: Areni proves that the architect was the same, ÑÅÌï ëï ß·ıÔ ¡ï ¡Å´áÅ ùï ùâ´Ô Ò· ´·ıß ÂÅÔùâÒ ÌÅõ â´ since Momik would never copy others. More- ÄÎ ÔÌÅ õÅ ßÅ©Òè ¶Å´ ùÅ´ üâÔ, ´Åâı àÎÅ ©ï ßÅÒÖÅ Òâ´ over, Stepanos Orbelian was Momik’s patron âı û·Ì üÅ´´âÎ ¶ùÒ Ôï„è, ïÎù É·ı ÎÅùÅ´ ãÅÒáâ Òï´ ßï- and client. Therefore, there was no need to Å ü©·ıÎ ÌÅõ â´ ÅÈÅ´ °ï´ ÉÅÈâÒ, ·Ò·Ì, ˜Å ÎÔ· Òâ´, Å©Î seek elsewhere for an architect for the Datev ÂÅÔùâ Òè áÅÈ ´·ıß ç üÅ© •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ Ô·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ üÅ´- church. áï Â·£ ÆÅÒÅ ÉâÎùïØ ÅÈÅÁï´ ˚Òï´Å ùè: Re t u r n i n g to t he c h u rc h of A re n i , we s h o u l d 24 î´¡ ´Å ÔïÂ ·ı ô· Òï ßÅÎÔ ç ´Åâı ÖÅ Ìï ëï ÅÒâı ßÔ©Å´ add that it is an edifice with a central dome ó·ı ÎÅ ß·ı Ôè ÂÎÅù·£ ¡Å´ áÅùè: úâ´Ô Ò· ´·ıß ´âÒùÅ ©ÅÛ- which, compared to other structures, has char- ÌÅõ ç ûÅ©Ò ÄÎÔ õ· ô·≠·Ò ÂÅÔùâ Òè, ·Òè üÅ© ßïÁ ´Å áÅ- acteristic design and decorations. Ò©Å´ ¡Å´ áÅùÅ Ö·Ò õ·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ Å´ ´ÅôÅ áâÂ ç, ¡Å ´ï The symbolic sculptures of the four Evan- ·Ò ûÅ©Ò ÄÎÔ õ·ı´ ßï´„ Å©á Î· Ì·ÒÅ ÉÅÒ ÂÅÔ ùâ Ò·ıß çï´ gelists; the winged man, the ox, the lion and the ô·Ò üÒáÅ ´ ≠Å ùÅ´ °âı·Ì: ÄÎÔõ· °Åô °âÈ ¡ï´ ÄáÅßï eagle, set at the bottom of the altar, are unique Öó·ıô´ ç, ·Òï ÌÒÅ ïÁ ´·ıß ç Å£ÅÌ ´Å ùâÒÂ Í·ıÒÉ û· Öï´: elements of the interior. †Åô ù·£ß·ıß ¡Å´áÅù ÌÅõ ç òÅ „â ó·ıë©·ı ´è: Ä©Îï´ ¡´ Noravank is the place that brought fame to ·£Á Ôâ ÎÅÒÅ ´·ıß ÅÈ ùÅ â´ Í·ıÒÉ àÒ Ò·Òá·ı ë©Å´ âÒâ¡ Å´- Momik. It was also the seat of the Siunik met- °â Òè: Ä©Î Ö·Òõè ÌùÅ©·ıß ç, ·Ò ¡Å´áÅù ´â Òï üâ £ï´Å ù´ ropolitans as well as the mausoleum of the Or- ˚ìÔ ÌÅõ çÒ ·„ ßï Å©´ ùÅ ÔÅÒßÅ´ ÌÅÒ ÂâÔ·ı ë©ÅßÉ, Å©óâı belians. ÅÎÔ ÌÅ õÅ ÉÅ´Å ùÅ´ ·ı ÂÅÔùâ ÒÅÖ ÒÅ ùÅ´ üÅÒ·ıÎÔ Öï- The narthex to the west of the main church Ôâ óï¡´â Ò·Ì: ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï ÖÅÌ ëï ÂÅÔùâ ÒÅ ¡Å´áÅù- of the monastery, built in 1261, was renovated ´â Òè ÉÅÛÅ Èïù ÅÒ ìâ¡ â´ ´âÒ ùÅ©ÅÛ ´·ıß ·„ ßïÅ©´ üÅ©, in the 14th century. It was decorated with sculp- Å©óâı è´á üÅ´ ÒÅÂâÎ ¡ÒïÎÔ· ´âÅùÅ´ ÅÒÌâÎ Ôï Ôâ ÎÅùâ- tures, carved on the tympanums by Momik. ÔïÛ: In the center of the portal of the narthex ¶·ßï ùï •ÅÒ ÔÅÒÅ Ââ ÔÅ ùÅ´ üÅ ßÅÒ °Åù ßÔÅü- there are bas reliefs of the Madonna with the £ÅÛ ßÅ´ õ´·ı´ á´ ç ´Å âı ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï üÅÒÅ ÌÅ ©ï´ ù·£- child, John the Baptist and Prophet Isaiah. ß·ıß Ç·ıÒ ëâó ¶âõ ï≠ ôÅ´ï ùÅ È·ıÛÅõ ÎóÅÛïù È·Ô·´ áÅ- The sculpture over the western lintel of the ©·Ì ÂÎÅù ÌÅõ âÒùüÅÒù âùâ £âÛï-áÅß ÉÅ ÒÅ´è: Ç·ıÒëâ- narthex is also significant. It represents God the óÅ≠â´ Í. ÄÎÔ ÌÅ õÅõï´ áÅßÉÅ ÒÅ´-âùâ£â Ûï õÅÌÅ óÅ- Father in the center. This representation is an ÔÅÒÅ õÅ ùÅ´ ó·ıõ·ı ßè ´· Ò·ıë©·ı´ çÒ üÅ© ùÅ ùÅ´ •ÅÒÔÅ- unprecedented phenomenon in medieval Ar- ÒÅÂâ Ô·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ: 1292 ëÌÅùÅ ´ï´ ´ùÅÒÅ ãÅÒáÅõ menian sculpture, since, before that, God the ÄÌâ ÔÅÒÅ ´ï ó·ı ÎÅ´ÛÅ ãÅÒ áâ ÒïÛ ßâù·ıß ¶·ßï ùè ÂÅÔ- Father was represented symbolically. He holds ùâ Òâó ç ´ßÅ´ âÈÅüÅÒù ùÅÈ·ı©Û, ßï ßÔÅü£Å Û·ı ß´ ç ´Å Adam’s head in his left hand. The Dove of the ïÒÅ ùÅ´Å Ûâó ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡·ıß: Holy Spirit descends upon Adam’s head. The Í. ÄÎ ÔÌÅ õÅõï´ âùâ£â Ûï-áÅß ÉÅ ÒÅ ´´ ˚ìÔ ÌÅõ ç Öâ£ÅÒ ÌâÎÔÅ ùÅ´ ÅÒÔÅ ùÅÒÖ ÖÒÅÌ „·ıë©ÅßÉ ·ı ÅÒ ÔÅ- ĄőĶŇļļ ĶŀĶŃĶŔļŇ / Church of Areni üÅ©Ô„Å ùÅ´·ı ë©ÅßÉ: ûï ÅÛ ß·ı´ ¡ï ç ÅÒ ìÅ ´ï üÅÔùÅ ÂâÎ ÅÒâıß Ô©Å´ •ÅùÅ Ôï ï´ ¡´Å ÔïÂ ·ı ≠¡â£ °â ıÅ Ì·Ò·ı ßè: ÑâÔ´ïÛ ßï´ „âı âÒù Ò·Òá üÅÒ ùï ≠¡Å ß·ıÔ¡ ÔÅ´·£ ÅÎ Ôï- •Å´ ´â Òè ©·ı Ò˚ Òï´Åù âÈÅ´ ù©·ı ´Å°âı ≠Ò ÁÅ´Åù ùÅã ßâ- ó·Ì ÅÈÅÁï´ üÅÒùï ß·ıÔ¡ï üÅ ßÅÒ, ã·ı ÖÅùÛ Ìâó·Ì ¡Å´- áÅùÅ ãÅÒá •Å ùÅ ÔÅùÅó ¡Å Òâ Òï ·ı ãÅÒáÅ ¡Å´ áÅù Å©ó ßÅ´ ÒÅ ßÅÎ´â Òï üâÔ, ÎÔâ£õ·ıß â´ •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ ÔÅ- ùÅ´ Å´ùÒ ù ´â óï ùâÒÂÅÒ: ûÅ© ß≠Å ù·ı©ëï´ ÅÈÅ´ °´Å üÅ Ô·ıù ôÅ„ ¡Å ÒÅ©ï´ ÅÒ ÌâÎÔï É´Å ÖÅÌÅ È·ıß ´·ı©´ ÂâÎ ¶· ßïù´ ïÒ Å´Å´Û üâÔ ¡´ ç ë·£âó` ÎÔâ£ õâó·Ì ßï ¡Å ´ï ˜ÅÈÅ üâ£ Ö·Ò õâÒ, ·Ò·´ ÛïÛ üÅ©Ô ´ï â´ âÒâ¡è: ÜÒÅ´¡ É· ó·Ò´ çó ùÅ´Ö ´âÛ Ìâó â´ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡·ıß, ÉÅ©Û Å©Î ˚Ò ãÅÒ áÅÒ·ıß â´ ëÅ´ ÖÅ- ÒÅ´Å ©ï´ ÎÒÅü ´âÒ: 1303 ë. ßÅüÅ ´·ıß ç ßâÔ Ò·Â· óïÔ ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ- ó©Å ´è, âı ´ÒÅ üï≠Å ÔÅ ùï üÅÌâÒ ìÅÛ ßÅ´ üÅßÅÒ üÅ- Á·Òá ßâÔÒ· Â·óïÔ û·ÌüÅ´ ´âÎ-˙Ò Éâóè ¶· ßïùï´ üÅ´ °- ´Å ÒÅ Ò·ıß ç ôÅ„ ¡ÅÒ ùâÒÔâó, ·Ò´ ïÒÅ ùÅ´ÅÛ Ì·ıß ç 1304 ë.: ™ÒÉÅ ü©·ıÎ ôÅ„ ¡Å Òï ÌâÒ´Å ßÅ Î·ıß ÂÅÔùâÒ ÌÅõ ç ÄÎ ÔÌÅ õÅüÅ© Ô ´·ı ë©Å´ ÔâÎÅ ÒÅ´` ÖÅ üÅùÅó ΩÒïÎÔ· Îï ÂÅÔùâ Ò·Ì: òÅ„¡Å Òï ÅÒ°Å ´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©·ı ´´ ÅÌÅÒÔ Ì·ıß ç Æ¶‡¶îú ÏÄÜ ‰àÓØ ßÅùÅ Ö Ò·ı ë©ÅßÉ: òÅ„¡ÅÒ´ Å©ìß ÖÔ ´ Ì·ıß ç Í. åÁ ßïÅõ ´ï ÑÅ´°Å ÔÅ ´è: ¶·ßï ùè üÅ Á·Òá üÒÅ ≠ÅùâÒÔ ôÅ„¡Å Òè ùÅ´Ö ´â Û Òâó ç 1308 ë.` åóïù·ıß ï≠ ôÅ´ï Ôïù ´·Á` êÅß ëÅ òÅë·ı ´ï ÂÅÔÌâ Ò·Ì: òÅ„¡Å Òï ÅÒ°Å ´ÅÖ Ò· ı ë©·ı ´´ ÅÌÅÒÔ Ì·ıß 25 ĆĲŏļĺļ Ņ·ŕŐŗļ ŗĲŇĵĲŀĹ / Sculpture above the entrance to the narthex

ç Æ¶‡ ¶îú ÏÄÜ‰àÓ ®î¨à ÚåΩØ ÉÅÈâ Ò·Ì: òÅ„¡ÅÒ´ scene of the Crucifixion is carved in the left Å©ìß ÖÔ´ Ì·ıß ç åÁ ßïÅõ ´ï ÏâüÅ ÒÅ´·ıß: corner. àÒ Ò·Òá ôÅ„ ¡Å Òï ÂÅÔÌï ÒÅ Ô·ı´ áÅÒ °©Åó êÅß ëÅ Three figures of the Holy Trinity are de- ï≠ ôÅ´·ı üï´ ç (ÂÅÔÒ ÅÎ Ô Ìâó ç 1300-1312 ëë. ìÅßÅ ´Å- picted in one scene. ùÅ ßï Á·Û·ıß): Ä©ÎÔâ£ ôÅ„ï ÅÁ ·ı °Åô ù·£ßâ Ò·ıß ÅÈÅ´- This work attests that the author of the °ï´ ≠Ò ÁÅ ´Åù ´â Òï ßâÁ ¶· ßïùè ¡Å´áÅ ùâó ç ÔÅÎ´âÒ ù·ı sculptures had sound knowledge of theology ÅÈÅ¡©Åó ´â Òï ùï ÎÅ´ á Òï ´â Òè: òÅ„¡Å Òè ùÅ´ Ö´Åõ ç and iconography. The carvings of the narthex â£âó ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï ÖÅÌï ëï ß·ıÔ¡ï ß·Ô, Å©ìß ÖÔ ´ Ì·ıß ç of Noravank are of exceptional value, not only à£âÖ´Å °· Òï âÒù ÒÅ Öï ÔÅ ùÅ´ ëÅ´ÖÅ ÒÅ´·ıß: within the scope of Armenian art but also gen- ¶·ßï ù´ ï´ ¡è üÒÅ≠Å Öâ£ ·ı ù· ë·£Å ©ï´ ôÅ„¡Å- eral Christian art. The double-storied church- ÒâÒ ç ùâÒÔâó, ïÎù ßÅ üïÛ üâ Ô· ´ÒÅ üï≠Å ÔÅ ùï üÅßÅÒ mausoleum with a rotunda in the southern part ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡·ıß ùÅ´Ö ´âÛ ÌâÛ ßï üÅßâÎÔ ôÅ„¡ÅÒ, ·Òï of Noravank, built by the order of Prince Burtel ÅÒ °Å´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ ÖÒÌÅõ ç ÅÒÌâÎ ÔÅ Öâ Ôï ßÅü- the Great, is one of Momik’s architectural inno- ÌÅ´ ëÌÅùÅ ´è` 1333, âı ßï ßÅ£ ëÅ´¡` Æ®î¨àÄ ΩîÍ- vations. Ó‡Í ÄÍÓ‡ÙÄö ä¶‡¶úÄ û‡ Ñî™ àÙ ‡¢‡¶àÄ:êÏ ‚†Ç: The spatial solution of the St. Astvatstsin (1333)Ø: ¶·ßï ùï üï≠Å ÔÅ ùï ôÅ„ ¡Å Òè ≠·ıÒÁ âÒù·ı ÔÅÎ- church-mausoleum of Burtelashen was also ´Å ß©Åù ÂÅüÌ·ıß çÒ à£âÖ´Å °· Òï âÒ ùÒÅ Öï ÔÅ ùÅ´ ëÅ´- novel in Armenian architecture. In one of the il- ÖÅ ÒÅ´·ıß: 2001 ë. ÅÂÒï óï 29-ï´` ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï ·ıô Ôï luminated manuscripts dated 1292, Momik had ˚Òè, Å©´ üÅ´ áï ÎÅÌ·Ò ÂÅ© ßÅ´´â Ò·ıß ÌâÒÅ áÅÒ °ÌâÛ depicted a similar two-storied construction, an ™· ÒÅÌÅ´¡ âı Ôâ £Å áÒ ÌâÛ Ç·ıÒ ëâ óÅ≠â´ âùâ£â Û·ı üÅ ÒÅ- idea that he later used in Noravank. ÌÅ©ï´ ù·£ß·ıß: The St. Astvatsatsin church-mausoleum is created with artistic excellence. The unique Ä©ìß üÅßÅ È· ÔÅ ùï Å´ á ÒÅáÅÈ ´Å´¡ ßâõ ÌÅÒÂâ- and magnificent decoration of the western Ôï ùâ´ ÎÅÖ Ò·ı ë©Å´ ·Ò·≠ ßÅ´ ÒÅßÅÎ ´â Òï´, ´âÒùÅ ©ÅÛ- tympanum is remarkable. ´â ó·Ì ´Å âı Å©´ ÔÌ©Åó ´â Òè, ·Ò·´¡ ï üÅ©Ô â´ âùâó 2004 Momik had exceptional impact on the art ëÌÅ ùÅ´ï´: ¶ï´ „âı Å©ìß ¶·ßï ùï ßÅ Îï´ â£Åõ Ôâ £â ù·ı- of cross-stones, creating magnificent works, 26 ë©·ı´´â Òè üÅ©Ô ´ï â´ â£âó ´ÒÅ ÖÒÅõ °âÈÅ Ö Òâ Òï üï≠Å- three of which are known. They were all erect- ČĲŅĺĲ ľĲĺ·ŕŇļ ŋĲŐŏļőĲĿ ľĲŊŗĲőĹ / Cross-stone commissioned by Tamta Khatun Tamta by commissioned Cross-stone / ČĲŅĺĲ ŋĲŐŏļőĲĿ ľĲĺ·ŕŇļ ľĲŊŗĲőĹ

27 ÔÅùÅ ÒÅ´ ´â ÒïÛ, ÄÒâ´ïï âùâ£â Û·ı âı ´ÒÅ ùâÒ ÔÅõ ôÅ„- ed in Noravank. Today they are exhibited in ¡Å Òâ Òï ÅÒ °Å´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©·ı´ ´â ÒïÛ: ÜÒÅ´Û ßï ßÅ Îï´ õÅ- museums. ´·ëÅ ÛÅ´¡ Ìâ Òâ ı·ıß: 1292 ë. °âÈÅ Ö Òï üï≠Å ÔÅùÅ ÒÅ ´ï When Metropolitan Stepanos Orbelian ÅÈ´„·ı ë©ÅßÉ ÅÌâóÅÛ ´â´¡, ·Ò °âÈÅ Ö Òï ÎÔÅÛ·£ ´â Òè died in 1303, Momik was commissioned by ´ÒÅ´ ù· „·ıß â´ ÆÉÅãß ïßÅÎÔ âı üÅ´ •Å Òâ£ ©Å Ò·ıâÎÔ ÖÒ- the latter’s successor Hovanes-Orbel to carve „ï âı ´ùÅÒÅ Ö Ò·ı ëâÅ´Ø, ßï´„áâÈ ï´¡´ ïÒ ßÅ Îï´ ÅÎ·ıß a cross-stone in memory of the late metropoli- ç, ëâ ÖÒâó ç ÆÞÉâù ÎÒÔïı âı ëÅôÅ´ °âÅó ßÅÒß ´·ÌØ: 1302 tan, and the work was completed in 1304. ë. ÅÌâÔÅ ÒÅ ´ï üï ≠ÅÔÅ ùÅ ÒÅ´·ıß çó ´≠·ıß ç. ÆÄ£Å „âßÞ In the upper segment of the exquisite ©ï ≠âó ãÅ ´ï ßÅÎÔ ´ùÅ Ò·£Î ¶· ßïù âı ÎôÅóÅ ´ÅÛ´ Å´ ßâ- cross-stone, the Pentecost is represented with £Å áïÒ óï ´âó, ãï ëç ÂâÔ Å´üß·ıÔ çï, Å©ó ìÅßÅ ´Å ùÎ °ßâÈ Christ enthroned. The inscription carved on it çÒ âı Ô·ı ´Î ´ÎâßÞØ: ûï ≠ÅÔÅ ùÅ ÒÅ´ ´âÒ·ıß ÖÒï„ ´â Òï ï´¡- reads: "MOMIK VARDPET." The cross-stone is ´ÅôÅ ÒÅãÅ´ ßÅ´ ÅÒ ÔÅüÅ© Ô·ı ë©·ı´´â Òè Î· Ì· ÒÅ ùÅ´ now in the Treasury of Etchmiadzin. âÒâ ı·ı©ë â´, âı Å©Î Ô·£â ÒïÛ „ï ùÅ Òâ óï âã ÒÅ ùÅÛ·ı ë©·ı´- The commissioner of the third cross-stone ´âÒ Å´âó üâ£ï ´Å ùï ü·Öâ Ìï •Å ùï ßÅ Îï´: (created during 1300-3012) was Princess Tam- ¨ÅÔ ·ı ≠ÅÖ ÒÅÌ ç ¶· ßïùï 1331 ë. üï≠Å ÔÅ ùÅ ÒÅ ´è, ta. On the left and right arms of the cross-stone, ·ıÒ ô·ÎÌ·ıß ç ÅÒÌâÎ ÔÅ Öâ Ôï` ï´„-·Ò ìÅßÅ ´Åù Ôâ Î·£·ı- Momik carved the busts of the 12 Apostles ë©·ı ´è ù·ÒÛ ´â ó·ı âı ·Ò·≠ ìÅ ßÅ ´Åù Å´Û ÌâÒÅ ÖÔ ´â ó·ı in an enclosed frame. The cross-stone was ßÅ Îï´. ÆàÎ ¶·ßïù ÖÒï„, ©Å „ÅÛ ÌÅÔâÅóÞ ã·Îùâ ´ ùÅÒÎ´ erected at the entrance of the narthex of Nora- ·„ ùÅ ÒÅÛï ï Öó·ıô üÅ ´âó... ®·ı Î·Ì´ ·Ò ÅÈ ®ï Î·ıÎ, ãù ´ï vank. Now it is in the Archeological Museum of ÎÅùÅı ÅßÅÛ, ó·©Î Å„ÅÛ ïß·Û áÅÒ°Åı ÅÈ ïÎÞØ: Yeghegnadzor. 1955 ë. Ëï´á Ö©·ı £ï ßâÒ°Å ùÅ© ¡ï Ïâ Òï´ ‡ıó Ö©·ıÒ Momik created splendid and magnificent Ö©·ı£Å Ôâ £ï ÅÌâÒÅù âùâ£â Û·ı ÖâÒâã ßÅ ´Å ÔÅ ´è Í. ÇÅÒ- cross-stones. After his death, one was erected ô·ıáÅ Ò©Å ´è üÅ©Ô ´ÅÉâ Òâó ç ôÅ„¡Å Òï ÌÒÅ ÖÒ ÌÅõ ßï in memory of the artist in Noravank. The artist’s ÅÒ °Å´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©·ı´, ·ıÒ üï≠Å ÔÅù Ì·ıß â´ ¶·ßï ùï ·Ò áï´` year of death (1333) and a blessing are carved ÄÎ ùÅ´áÅÒ Å´·ı ´·Ì (ÆàÍ ÄÍ úÄ™ÜÄ, ¶‡¶úÄ ‡ ÜîÞØ) in the inscription: "REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST âı ´ÒÅ ·Ò áï´` ¨ÅÔ· ´ïùè: Í. ÇÅÒ ô·ıáÅ Ò©Å ´è ´ùÅ Ôï MOMIK AND BLESS HIM (1333)." Momik’s me- ·ı´â ´Å ó·Ì Å©´ üÅ´ÖÅ ßÅ´¡è, ·Ò ¶· ßïùï ·Ò áï´ ÅÒ°Å- ę·őĲŏĲŇŗŇ ĲőĶŕĶĽŗļŔ / Noravank as viewed from the east

28 ą·ŕőĺĶĽĲňĶŇ Ġ. ĄŎŐŏĲĿĲĿļŇ ĶŀĶŃĶŔļŇ Burtelashen St. Astvatsatsin Church ą·ŕőĺĶĽĲňĶŇ ĄŎŐŏĲĿĲĿļŇ Ġ. ĶŀĶŃĶŔļŇ / Burtelashen St. Astvatsatsin Church

´ÅÖ Ò·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ ´≠·ıß ç, ëâ ïÒ üÅ©Òâ ´ï (Îâ˜Å ùÅ´) ü·- morial cross-stone is in the southern part of the £ï ßï ßÅÎè ´ÌïÒÅÔ Ì·ı ë©·ı´ ç Å´·ıß, â´ ëÅá Òâó ç, ·Ò Å©á Burtelashen church. Ö©·ı£è ¶·ßï ùï õ´´ áÅÌÅ©Ò´ ç â£âó: Let us now consider some biographic data 2004 ë. üï ≠©Åó É´Å ùÅ ÌÅ© Òï ÅÒâıâ ó©Å´ ßÅÎ·ıß on the master’s life, including some snippets ÖÔ ´ Ì·£ ™âÒ¡ï´ ‡ıó Ö©·ıÒ Ö©·ı£Å Ôâ £ï (Ä£ÅÌ´Å °·Ò Ö©·ı- discovered in 2004. Until now, one could find £ïÛ ß·Ô 5 ùß ü©·ıÎïÎ-ÅÒâı ß·ıÔ¡) Í. ÄÎ ÔÌÅ õÅõï´ âùâ- information from the colophons of the manu- £âÛ·ı ß·Ô üÅ©Ô ´ÅÉâÒ Ìâó â´ ¶·ßï ùï ÅãÖÅ ùÅ´ ´â Òï´ scripts illustrated by Momik, as well as from ÂÅÔùÅ ´·£ ÔÅÂÅ ´Å¡Å ÒâÒ (ü´ÅÌÅ© Òï ·ıÎ·ı ß ´Å ÎïÒ·ı- epigraphic inscriptions left on the cross-stones ë©Å´ ßÅÎï´ ·ı ÅÒ °Å´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©·ı´ ´â Òï Ôâ ¡Î Ôâ Òè Ôâ’Î Ä. of the Areni church. Some of the information ΩÅóÅ´ ëÅ Ò©Å´, Ñ. ÍÅÒÖ Î©Å´, û. ¶âó ¡· ´©Å´, ¶· ßïù©Å´ has been presented above. ´·ÒÅ üÅ©Ô üï≠Å ÔÅù ´âÒ, ÆûÅ© ÅÒÌâÎÔØ, 2005, ëïÌ 3, çÁ In a 1331 note, Momik mentioned that he 28-30): ÜÒÅ´Û ßâÁ ≠ÅÔ ÅÒìâ ¡Å Ì·Ò ç ¶· ßïùï õ´·£´â- had lost, but later regained, his sight: "I, scribe Òï âÒùßÅÎ ÔÅ ÂÅ ´Å¡Å Òè, ·Òï ÅÒ °Å´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©·ı ´è üâ- Momik, suffering from a disease of the eyes, Ôâı©Åó´ ç. unfortunately could not complete the work. However, thanks to Jesus and the remaining ÆäûÄ® àÙ ä¶Ä® ¶‡¶úÄ äÑ(î)Ñ‡ hope, my vision returned." àÙ äÄÏêÄ®™ ®î¨à ÚåΩ:êÏ: ‚òå (1298)Ø: In 1955, in a ruined church graveyard of Upper Ulgiur near the village of Rind, S. ˆÅ ÎÔ· Òâ´ ùÅÎ ùÅõïÛ ÌâÒ ç, ·Ò ¶·ßï ù´ Å©ÎÔâ £ï Barkhudarian found an epigraphic inscription õ´·ı´á ç: ûâÔÅ ¡Ò ¡ïÒ ç, ·Ò ÑÒï Ö·Òè âı ÄÌ ëÅ´ ïÒâ´Û ßÅü- on the cross-stone with the names of Askandar, ùÅ´Å Û·ı´ ù´¡âó â´ ´·ı©´ 1298 ëÌÅ ùÅ´ï´, ïÎù Å©´, ·Ò Momik’s son, and the latter’s son Shatonik. ´ÒÅ´Û ÔÅÂÅ ´Å ¡Å Òï´ ´≠ÌÅõ ç, ëâ ¶· ßïùï õ´·£´âÒ´ Since the inscription stated that Momik’s â´, ÌùÅ©·ıß ç, ·Ò ´Å Å©á ìÅ ßÅ ´Åù ÅÒáâ´ ßâõ •Å´Å- son had donated part of his land, Barkhudar- „·ıß ÌÅ ©âó·£ ßÅÒá çÒ: ian assumed that the village might have been ¶âù Å©ó ÔÅÂÅ ´Å¡Å Òï ÅÒ °Å´Å Ö Ò·ıë©Å´ ßâÁ üï- Momik’s birthplace. ≠ÅÔÅù Ì·ıß â´ ¶·ßï ùï â£ ÉÅ©Ò Ñ·üÅÒ ÔÅ ≠è âı ïÒ á·ıÎÔÒ In 2004, tombstones of the relatives of òóÅ ëè, ·Ò·´¡ ßÅüÅ Ûâó â´ 1333 ë.: Momik were found in the eastern part of the grounds of St. Astvatsatsin Church near Lower 30 Ulgiur, (See texts on archeological excavations ą·ŕőĺĶĽĲňĶŇ Ġ. ĄŎŐŏĲĿĲĿļŇ ĶŀĶŃĶŔ·ŕ Ņ·ŕŐŗĶőļ ŗĲŇĵĲŀŇĶőĹ / Sculptures above the entrances to Burtelashen St. Astvatsatsin Church

ÆÑ‡ ûÄ ÓÄ¨™ å, à¢ ÇÄ® ¶‡¶ úÄ àÙ Ü‡ÙÍ Ó and inscriptions: A. Kalantarian, G. Sargsian, H. îÙ òñÄê:êÏ:‚†Ç (1333): Melkonian, "New Memories about Momik," Hay Arvest, 2005, No.3, pp. 28-30). Ä©Î ÔÅÂÅ ´Å ¡Å Òï´ ùïÛ üÅ©Ô ´ÅÉâÒ Ìâó ç ßâù ·ı Òï- The tombstones of Momik’s parents are of ≠è, ·Òè ÂÅÔùÅ ´·ıß ç ¶·ßï ùï â£É·Ò ·Ò á·ı´. ÆòÄäî å: great value among those found. The inscrip- ‡ Üî Ñ‡ ûÄÓÄ ¨î™: î ¶î ‡Ù¶ ÄÙ‡Ù àÙ êÏîØ: tions on them read: "REMEMBER THE FATHER ™ùÅ Ôï ·ı ´â´Å ó·Ì, ·Ò âÒù·ı ÔÅ ÂÅ´Å ¡Å Òâ Òè ùïÛ AND MOTHER OF MOMIK, GRIGOR AND AVTA â´ âı ÅÒ °Å´Å ÖÒ ÌÅõ ç Æî ¶î ‡Ù¶ ÄÙ‡Ù àÙ êÏîØ ÉÅ- 1298." ´Å°â ıè, ÅÒ °Å´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©Å´ üÒÅÔÅ ÒÅ ùï„ ´âÒ´ ïÒÅÌÅ- Thus, it is beyond doubt that Momik was Ûï· Òâ´ â´ ëÅá Òâó â´, ·Ò òÅ ãï´ ùÅß òÅãâ´ ïÒ ü·Ò âı born in this place. An interesting fact has been ¡Ò·Á üâÔ ßÅüÅ Ûâó ç ´·ı©´ ìÅßÅ ´Åù (´·ı©´ ÔÅÒÌÅ ´·ı©´ recorded: Momik’s parents Grigor and Avta ˚Òè): ÓÅÂÅ ´Å ¡Å Òâ ÒïÛ ßâùï ÌÒÅ çó ÂÅüÂÅ´ Ìâó ç Ñ·- died in the same year -- 1298. üÅÒ ÔÅ≠ï Ôï ù ´·Á` òâ Òï ùï Å´·ı´è, ÉÅ©Û ßÅüÌÅ´ ëÌÅ- Being Momik’s parents was something that ùÅ´è ëâ Òï ç: was mentioned on their tombstones, which Ä©ÎÔâ£ ßï ÂÅü Ìâ ÒÅáÅÈ ´Å´¡ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡·ıß meant that Momik was a renowned master of ¶·ßï ùï üï ≠ÅÔÅ ùï´ ùÅ´Ö ´âÛ ÌÅõ ôÅ„¡Å Òï ÅÒ °Å´Å- the time. ÖÒ·ı ë©Å´ ëÌÅùÅ ´ï´: ÇÅ´´ Å©´ ç, ·Ò Å©ÎÔâ£ ´≠ÌÅõ ‚†Ç Carved on the next tombstone are the (782+551=1333) ëÌÅùÅ ´ï ·„ Å©´¡Å´ üÎ ÔÅù âÒâ ıÅÛ·£ names of Momik’s brother Gohartash and his âı ü·£ ßÅ üÅÒÌÅõ Ç (2) ÔÅÈ ëÌÅùÅ ´è ·Ò·≠ ·ıÎ·ı ß ´Å Îï- daughter Khlat, who died in the year of 1333. Ò·£´âÒ é (8) â´ ùÅÒ á·ıß, ·Ò·Ì ÅÒ °Å´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©Å´ ëÌÅ- Another tombstone, found next to these, ùÅ´è áÅÈ ´·ıß ç 1339: Ç·ıÒ ëâ óÅ≠â´ Í. ÄÎ ÔÌÅ õÅõï´ belongs to the son of Momik’s brother Khaz. âùâ£â Û·ı ÅÒ°Å ´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ ´≠ÌÅõ ç, ·Ò Å©´ ùÅÈ·ıÛ- The inscription about the year of his death Ìâó ç 1339 ëÌÅùÅ ´ï´, âı ¶· ßïùï ôÅ„ ¡Å Òï ëÌÅùÅ ´è reads: "Same day and year." Taking into ac- áÒÅ´ üÅßÅ ÂÅ ÔÅÎôÅ ´âÛ ´â ó·Ì ˜·Ò°·ıß â´ Å´Å ÈÅÒ- count that the tombstones were side by side, ùâ óï áÅÒ °´âó, ·Ò âÒù üÅÒù âùâ£â Ûï´ üâ´Û ´Å ç ùÅÈ·ı Ûâó, we may conclude that the person named Khazi ÌâÒÁÅ Û Òâó: ÇÅ©Û ˜ÅÎÔ´ Å©´ ç, ·Ò ôÅ„¡Å Òè 1333 ëÌÅ- or Khaze died at the same time as his father ùÅ´ïÛ ç: ÍÅ „ï ´≠Å´Å ù·ıß, ëâ ¶· ßïùè ùÅÂ „ï ·ı ´â Ûâó and sister (same day of the same year). Ç·ıÒëâ óÅ≠â ´ï üâÔ: ÄÒ áâ´ ´≠âó â´¡, ·Ò áÒÅ´ïÛ ÔÅÒï ´âÒ On one of the tombstones, the name of ÅÈÅÁ ´Å âÒùüÅÒù âùâ £âÛï ç ÂÅÔùâ Òâó ïÒ ´ùÅÒÅ ãÅÒ- Kherik, the wife of Gohartash, has been pre- áÅõ °â ÈÅÖ Òï ó·ıÎÅ´Û ¡·ıß: Ç·ıÒëâó ¶âõï ìÅ ßÅ ´Åù ´Å served, but the year of death is illegible. ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡·ıß çÒ, âı ï≠ ôÅ´´ ·ı Òï≠ ·ıß ÂïÔï üÅ´° ´Å ÒÅ- Let us return to the date of his memo- ÒâÒ âùâ £âÛï-áÅß ÉÅ ÒÅ´ ´ÅôÅ Ö õâó, âëâ ·„ ïÒâ´Û Ô·üßï rial cross-stone in Noravank. Here, in ‘‚†Ç’ 31 ÌÅÎÔÅ ùÅ ≠ÅÔ ´ùÅÒï„-•ÅÒ ÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ Ôï´` ¶·ßï ùï´: î´„ (782+551=1333) some researchers read the Ar- Ìâ ÒÅÉâ Ò·ıß ç ÅÒ ÌâÎÔÅ Öâ Ôï ßÅü ÌÅ´ ëÌÅ ùÅ´ï´, ÅÂÅ menian numeral letter ‘Ç’ (2) as ‘À’ (9). Thus, the ´ÒÅ â£ É·Ò ·ı ÌâÒÁï ´ïÎ âÒ ù·ı ãÅ ÌÅù´â Òï ÔÅ ÂÅ´Å ¡Å- date of the inscription is 1339. In the inscription Òâ Òï ÔÌ©Åó ´â Òè ÉâÒ·ıß â´ Å©´ âãÒÅ ùÅÛ·ı ë©Å´, ·Ò 1333 of the St. Astvatsatsin Church of Burtelashen, it ëÌÅ ùÅ´ï´ Å©Î è´ÔÅ ´ï ¡ï üâÔ ßï •ÅùÅ ÔÅ ÖÒÅ ùÅ´ áì- is mentioned that it was built in 1339. By relat- ÉÅôÔ·ı ë©·ı´ ç ÂÅÔÅ üâó, ü´Å ÒÅ Ì·Ò ç ã·ü â´ Ö´ÅÛâó üÅ- ing the date of erection of Momik’s cross-stone ßÅ •Å ÒÅ ùï´ ùÅß ë≠ ´Å ßÅ ùÅ´ üÅÒ °ÅùßÅ´: ûÅßâ ´Å©´ with the date of the foundation of the church, áâ ÂÎ, ü·Ò âı âÒù·ı ãÅ ÌÅù´â Òï ´·ı©´ ˚Òè ßÅüÅ ÛÅõ óï- some researchers assume that Momik is the ´â ó·ı ˜ÅÎ Ôï üÅßÅÒ áìÌÅÒ ç Å©ó ÉÅÛÅ ÔÒ·ı ë©·ı´ ÖÔ´âó: author of the double-storied church. ‚ï ÉÅÛÅÈ Ì·ıß, ·Ò Å©á „ÅÒÅ ÉÅÎ Ôïù ˚Òè ´ÒÅ´Û üâÔ ç However, the fact is that this cross-stone â£âó ´Åâı ¶· ßïùè: dates back to 1333. This does not mean that Ä©Î Âï Î·Ì, ÏâÒï´ âı ™âÒ ¡ï´ ‡ıó Ö©·ıÒ ü´ÅÌÅ© Òâ Ò·ıß Momik had no connection with the Burtelash- üÅ© Ô ´ÅÉâÒ ÌÅõ ÔÅÂÅ ´Å Ö Òâ Òè ü´ÅÒÅ Ì· Ò·ı ë©·ı´ â´ en church. It was mentioned above that Momik ÔÅ óïÎ ùÅãßâ ó·ı ¶· ßïùï Ô·ü ßÅ õÅ Èè: ûÅ© ßïÁ ´ÅáÅ Ò©Å´ had depicted a two-storied church many years •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ ÂâÔ ´â ÒïÛ ßï Å©´ ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï ßâù Å©ó âÒÅô- prior to that in the margin of one of his manu- ÔÅÌ· Òï` Íï ÒÅ´â Îï Ô·ü ßï ßÅÎï´ â´ ßï ¡Å´ï ÔÌ©Åó´âÒ scripts. During the reign of Burtel the Great, he üÅ© Ô ´ï, ß©·ıÎ ßâ õâ Òï` Ä´ïï •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ ÂâÔ ÓÒáÅ Ôï ùÅß had been to Noravank, and it is obvious that Ä£ ëÅ ßÅÒï •ÅÒ ÔÅÒÅ ÂâÔ ¶Å´ Ìâóï ßïÅ©´ Å´·ı´´âÒ´ the prince would not have assigned the con- â´ ÂÅüÂÅ´ Ìâó: 2004-ï´ üÅ©Ô ´ÅÉâÒ ÌÅõ ÔÅÂÅ ´Å ¡Å- struction of the church-mausoleum to anyone Òâ Òï ≠´·Ò üïÌ ÅÈ Å©ìß Åßâ´ïÛ üÅÒ·ıÎÔ, „·ÒÎ ÎâÒ´áï but Momik, the renowned painter and architect üÅÁ·Ò áÅ ùÅ ´·ı ë©ÅßÉ Ô·ü ßÅ õÅÈ ·ı ´âÛ· £è ¶·ßï ù´ ç: of the prominent Orbelian family. As to the date of the artist’s death, it be- Ćģ(Ď)Ć‡ģ ( 1298) - ŀļ ŇĹĮ Ąġ ČĄ ( 1298) comes clear from the epigraphic inscriptions ė‡ėĎĒ ( 1333) Ć‡ēĄģ ĢĄĚ ( 1333) - ŀļ ŇĹĮ ĐĈ ģĎĒ on the tombstones of Momik’s brother and his two children that something terrible must have ĄĠĒĄę ćĄģ ĐĄĉĎ ( 1333) ĐďĄČ ( 1333) happened to them in 1333; probably they fell ĚĄ Ģ‡ ęĎĒ victim to plague or an assault. In any case, it is difficult to offer another explanation to the úÅÒâ´ ¶Åëâ ı· Î©Å´ fact that the father and his two children died ‰ÅÔ ßÅ ùÅ´ ÖïÔ·ı ë©·ı´ ´âÒï á· ù Ô·Ò on the same day. It is not impossible that Mo- mik might have been with them on that fateful day. Thus, the tombstones with epigraphic inscriptions, found in Upper and Lower Ulgiur, give an opportunity to draft the genealogical tree of Momik. Few names of medieval Arme- nian architects are known to us today, except for Siranes, the architect of Noravank, Trdat, the architect of Ani, and Manvel, the architect of Aghtamar. Owing to the tombstones discovered in 2004, as well as archeological research, Mo- mik is the only one among these, who has a four-generation genealogical tree.

ė·Ņļŀļ ŁļňĲŐĲŀļ ľĲŊŗĲőĹ / Cross-stone in memory Momik in of Cross-stone / ľĲŊŗĲőĹ ŁļňĲŐĲŀļ ė·Ņļŀļ Gr(i)gor ( 1298) – wife Avta ( 1298)

Momik ( 1333) Gohartash ( 1333) – wife Kherik

Askandar Khazi ( 1333) Khlat ( 1333)

Shatonik

Karen Matevosyan Doctor of Historical Sciences 32 ą·ŕőĺĶĽĲňĶŇ Ġ. ĄŎŐŏĲĿĲĿļŇ ĶŀĶŃĶŔļŇ ĲőĶŕŅ·ŕŐŗļŔ Burtelashen St. Astvatsatsin Church as viewed from the west

33 ™·ÒÅÌÅ´¡ï Architecture •ÅÒÔÅÒÅÂâÔ·ıë©·ı´è of Noravank

θ· ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï ü´ÅÖ·ı©´` Í. úÅ ÒÅÂâÔ âùâ£â- The St. Karapet Church, the oldest build- Ûï´ ÖÔ´ Ì·ıß ç üïß´Å ùÅ´ ü·ı≠ ÅÒ °Å´Å ôß Éï ing of the Noravank monastery, is in üÅÒÅ ÌÅ ©ï´ ù·£ß·ıß: ú· ÂïÔ ß≠ÅùÌÅõ ô·≠·Ò ¡ÅÒâ Ò·Ì the southern part of the group of monuments. ùÅÈ·ıÛ ÌÅõ Å©Î ßïÅ ´ÅÌ âùâ £âÛ·ı ÅÌâÒÅù ´â Òè ÉÅÛ- The ruins of this single-nave church, built of Ìâ Ûï´ 1982-1983 ëë. Ââ £·ıß´â Òï ìÅßÅ ´Åù: àùâ £âÛï´ rough-hewn stones, were discovered in the ex- „·ı ´ï ≠ï ´Å ÒÅ ÒÅùÅ´ ÅÒ°Å ´Å Ö Ò·ıë©·ı´, ïÎù ÍÔâ˜Å- cavations of 1982-1983. No inscription about ´·Î ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´è ´≠·ıß ç, ·Ò Å©´ ùÅ È·ıÛ Ìâó ç. Æ®Å ÈÅÁ ¡Å´ the construction has been left, although Stepa- ãÅ©Î ÉÅã·ıß ìÅ ßÅ ´Å ù˚¡, ÌÅ £Åı·ıÒÉ¡ âı ü´ÅÖ·©´ nos Orbelian mentions that the church was built Åß˚¡ÞØ: Í. úÅ ÒÅÂâÔ âùâ£â Û·ı ùÅ È·ıÛ ßÅ´ üÅÌÅ ´Å- "a long time ago, in ancient times…" The possible ùÅ´ ìÅßÅ ´Å ùÅ ≠Ò ÁÅ ´è ùÅ Òâ óï ç üÅßÅ Òâó 9-Òá áÅÒè: date of the foundation of St. Karapet Church may Í. úÅ ÒÅÂâÔ âùâ£â Û·ı´ ùïÛ ç ÌÅ´ ¡ï Öó ôÅ Ì·Ò` Í. be considered the 9th century. ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ™ÅôÅÌ ùÅ âùâ £âÛï´, ·Òè ùÅÈ·ı Ûâó â´ ï≠- Adjacent to the St Karapet Church is the ôÅ´ ñïÂÅ ÒïÔ ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´è âı ÍÅÒÖïÎ ÅÒ¡â ÂïÎù· Â· Îè main church of the monastery, St. Stepanos 1216-1221 ëë. (˚õ·ı ßè Ôâ£ï ç ·ı´â Ûâó 1223 ë.): êâ’ ÉÅã- Nakhavka (St. Stephen the Precursor or Pro- ßÅ ëïÌ ÅÒ °Å´Å Ö Ò·ı ë©·ı´ ´â Ò·ıß âı ëâ’ ÂÅÔßï„ ´â Òï ß·Ô tomartyr), which was built by Prince Liparit Or- ÌÅ´ ¡ï Å©Î âùâ £âÛï´ ù·„ Ì·ıß ç Í. ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ™Å ôÅÌ- belian and Archbishop Sarkis in 1216-1221 (con- ùÅ, ÎÅ ùÅ©´ ÖÒÅ ùÅ ´·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ âÒÉâ ß´ ÎôÅó ßÅßÉ Å´- secration date: 1223). This church is identified as ÌÅ´Ì·ıß ç Í. úÅÒÅ ÂâÔ: àùâ£â Ûï´ ·ı´ï ´âÒ ¡·ıÎÔ ôÅ„Å- St. Stepanos Nakhavka in numerous inscriptions °âı, „·ÒÎ Å´ù©·ı´ ´â Ò·ıß âÒùüÅÒù ÅÌÅ´ áÅÔ´â Ò·Ì, ÅÒ- as well as in the works of historians. However, in ÔÅ¡·ıÎÔ ·ı£ £Å´ù©·ı´ ü·Òï´ ÌÅõ¡: Ñß Éâëè ¡Å´á Ìâó çÒ literature, it is mistakenly called St Karapet. 1840 ë. âÒù ÒÅ ≠ÅÒ ìïÛ âı ÌâÒÅ ùÅÈ·ıÛ Ìâó 1980-ÅùÅ´ The church has an internal cross-shaped ëë.: plan with two-story vestries in four corners and Í. ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ™ÅôÅÌ ùÅ âùâ £âÛ·ı´ ùïÛ ç Í. ÑÒï Ö·Ò an external rectangular plan. âùâ £âÛï-ÔÅ ÂÅ ´Å Ô·ı´è (•ÅÒ ÔÅÒÅ ÂâÔ` Íï ÒÅ´âÎ), ·Òè The dome was destroyed by an earthquake 1275 ë. ùÅ È·ıÛâó ç ÓÅÒÎÅ ©ï• ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å ´è` ·Ò ÂâÎ áÅßÉÅ- in 1840 and reconstructed in the 1980s. Surp ÒÅ´ ïÒ â£É·Ò` 1273 ë. ã·üÌÅõ ï≠ôÅ ´Å´Û ï≠ôÅ´ Íß- Grigor (St. Gregory) church-mausoleum (archi- ÉÅ Ôï ÖâÒâã ßÅ ´ï ÌÒÅ: Ä©Î Ôâ£ üâÔÅ ÖÅ©·ıß ëÅ£Ìâó â´ tect Siranes) is adjacent to St. Stepanos Nakhav- ùÅÈ·ı Û· £è` ÓÅÒ ÎÅ ©ï• ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´è, ´ÒÅ ·Ò áï ´âÒ ˆÅô- ka, built in 1275 by Tarsayich Orbelian as a ÒÅá· óÅ´ âı åóïù·ı ßè, ë· Èè` Ç·ı£ÔÅ´, ï≠ôÅ ´·ı üï ´âÒ mausoleum for his brother, Grand Prince Smbat,

34 ĎĬŀĬĸķŌķ ĴłįļĬłńŎŌ ļĬŋĬĻĬĮķĺĴ Overall plan of the complex

1. Ġ. ĆőļĴ·ő ď·ŕŎĲŏ·őļŊ ĶŀĶŃĶŔļ 1. St. Gregory the Illuminator Church 2. Ġ. ĠŐĶŖĲŇ·Ŏ ĶŀĶŃĶŔļ 2. St. Stepanos Church 3. ĆĲŏļĺ 3. Narthex 4. Ġ. ĒĲőĲŋĶŐ ĶŀĶŃĶŔļ 4. St. Karapet Church 5. Ġ. ĄŎŐŏĲĿĲĿļŇ ĶŀĶŃĶŔļ 5. St. Astvatsatsin Church 6. ćőŎļ ŋĲŐ 6. Outer wall 7. ĐŔĶő 7. Cells 8. ĔļĺŁĲŇŗ 8. Oil press-mill 9. ėĲŐ·ŕōŇĶő 9. Chapels 10. ę·ő ŏĲŇĲŐ·ŕŇ 10. New residence 11. ĄŃĳņ·ŕő (2002ĺ.) ł·ŇŏĲĿ Ł·ĴĶĽ·ŕņŎ ĆĲőĶĴļŇ Ą ŀĲĺ·Ńļŀ·ŎļŇ 11. Fountain (2002) dedicated to H.H. Karekin I of blessed memory 35 ¶ï ´Å´ âı êÅß ëÅ´, Å©Îï´ ¡´ Í. ÑÒï Ö·Ò âùâ£â Ûï´ õÅ- who died in 1273. Subsequently, Tarsayich Or- ÈÅ©âó ç ·ÒÂâÎ ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å´ ´â Òï Ô·ü ßÅ ùÅ´ ÔÅÂÅ ´Å Ô·ı´: belian was buried here, together with his sons ûÅ©ùÅ ùÅ´ •ÅÒ ÔÅÒÅ Ââ Ô·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ ÎÅ âãÅ ùï áâÂ¡ ç, Pakhradola and Elikum, grandson Bughta and âÒÉ Ô·üßÅ ùÅ´ ÔÅ ÂÅ´Å Ô·ı´è ´Å âı âùâ £âÛï ç: Princesses Mina and Tamta. The St. Gregory Í. ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ™ÅôÅÌ ùÅ âùâ £âÛ·ı´ ÅÒâı ß·ıÔ ¡ïÛ Church thus became a sepulchral crypt for the ùïÛ ç ÖÅÌï ëè, ·Òè ´·ı©´ÂâÎ õÅÈÅ ©âó ç ·Ò ÂâÎ ˙Ò Éâó©Å´- Orbelian dynasty. ´â Òï ÔÅ ÂÅ´Å Ô·ı´: Ä©´ ùÅÈ·ı Ûâó ç ÍßÉÅÔ ˙Ò Éâó©Å ´è A church-mausoleum is a rare phenome- 1261 ë.: ÍÅùÅ©´ ´âÒ Î·ıß` ü©·ı Îï ÎÅ ©ï´ âı üÅ ÒÅÌÅ ©ï´ non in Armenian architecture. The narthex to the ÂÅ Ôâ Òï´ â£Åõ 1232 âı 1256 ëë. ´ÌïÒÅÔ ÌÅ ùÅ´ ÅÒ °Å- west of St. Stepanos Nakhavka was also used ´ÅÖ Ò·ı ë©·ı´ ´â Òè ÌùÅ ©·ıß â´, ·Ò ÖÅÌëï ≠ï´Å ÒÅ Ò·ıë©·ı- by the Orbelians as a sepulcher. It was built by ´è ÎùÎÌÅõ ç â£âó ·„ ·ı≠, ¡Å´ 1232 ë., ïÎù 1261 ë. Å©´ Smbat Orbelian in 1261. However, the consecrat- Î·Îù ÅÌÅÒÔ Ìâó ç: Í. ™ÅôÅ ÌùÅ ©ï âùâ £âÛ·ı âı ÖÅÌëï ed epigraphic inscriptions on the northern and ¡Å´ áÅù´â Òè ßâõ ÅÒìâ¡ ·ı üâ ÔÅ¡Ò¡ Ò·ı ë©·ı´ â´ ´âÒ- southern inner walls prove that the construction ùÅ©ÅÛ ´·ıß: ûÅÔùÅ ÂâÎ ÅÈÅ´° ´Å ´·ıß â´ ÅÒâı ßÔ©Å´ of the narthex started no sooner than in 1232, ß·ıÔ ¡ï âı ó·ıÎÅ ß·ı Ôï •ÅùÅ ÔÅ ùÅó ¡ÅÒâ Òï ÉÅã ß ïßÅÎÔ and was completed by the year 1261. The sculp- ÂÅÔùâ ÒÅ ¡Å´ áÅù´â Òè: tures of St. Stepanos Nakhavka and the narthex Í. ÄÎÔ ÌÅ õÅõï´ âùâ£â Ûï´, ·Òè ùÅ È·ı Ûâó ç Ç·ıÒëâó are of great value and interest. The tympanums ¶âõ ï≠ ôÅ´è (1304-1344) âı Å©á ÂÅÔ •ÅÈ·Ì âÒ Éâ ß´ ù·„- with multi-figure reliefs carved on the western Ì·ıß ç Ç·ıÒ ëâ óÅ≠â´, ÖÔ´ Ì·ıß ç üÅ ßÅ óïÒï üÅ ÒÅ ÌÅÒâ ıâ- portals and the lintel are of particular interest. ó©Å´ ù·£ß·ıß: ûÅÌÅ ´·Òâ´ ≠â´¡ï ÅÈÅÁï´ üÅÒùè ÔÅÂÅ- The St. Astvatsatsin Church was built ´Å Ô·ı´ ç â£âó, ÉÅ©Û Å©ìß ´âÒ Î·ıß ·„ ßï ÔÅÂÅ ´Å ¡ÅÒ by Prince Burtel the Great (1304-1344), and is „ùÅ: ¨â´ ¡ï âÒù Ò·Òá üÅÒùè áÒÎïÛ âı ´âÒÎïÛ ôÅ „Å°âı therefore called Burtelashen. It is situated in the ç` ÅÒâıâó ¡·ıß ùïÎÅ ≠Ò ÁÅ ´Å°âı ô·ÒÅ ´·Ì, ·Òï âÒù·ı ù·£- southeastern part of the monastic complex. Most ß·ıß ëÅ£Å õÅõù ÅÌÅ´ áÅÔ´âÒ â´: ò· ÒÅ´è Éâß „·ı´ï, probably, the ground floor of the building was ÎÅùÅ©´ üÅ ÔÅùï ßÅ ùâ Òâ ÎïÛ á·ıÒÎ âù·£ ÅÈÅÁï´ üÅÒ- once a sepulcher, although now there are no ùï ô·ÒÅ ´·Ì ùÅßÅ Òè ÌùÅ©·ıß ç, ·Ò ´ÅôÅ ÔâÎ ÌÅõ ç â£âó tombstones inside. Å©´ Éâß·Ì õÅõùâó, ·Ò´ ï´„-ï´„ ÂÅÔ•Å È·Ì „ï ïÒÅùÅ- The exterior and interior of the first floor ´ÅÛ Ìâó: have a cross-shaped plan with a semicircular Ç·ıÒëâ óÅ≠â ´ï ü·Òï´ ÌÅõ ¡è É´ · Ò·≠Ì·ıß ç ÅÈÅ´°ï´ apse in the east. There are vaulted vestries on üÅÒ ùÅÉÅ ìï´ ´â Òï õÅÌÅó ´â Òï ÔÅÒ ÉâÒ ó·ıõ·ıß ´â Òï` ãÅ´- either side. ÖÌÅ õâ£ âı ÖâÔ ´Å üÅÒ ÅÈÅ Áï´ üÅÒùï üÅßâ ßÅ ÔÅ ÉÅÒ The apse doesn’t have an altar. However, ÉÅÒ °Ò, ·ı£ £Å °ïÖ ÁóÅÔ·ıß ´â Ò·Ì âÒ ùÒ·Òá üÅÒùï âı ëâëâı the ark with the altar rising from the ground in- ÎóÅ Ûïù Î©·ı ´ÅãÅÒá Öß Éâëï ã·ı ÖÅù Û·ı ß·Ì: ¨â´¡ï üÅÒ- dicates the intention to build an altar, which, for áÅ ÒÅ ´¡ï Öâ£ÅÒ ÌâÎÔÅ ùÅ´ ÅÒÔÅ üÅ©Ô „Å ùÅ´·ı ë©·ı ´è reasons unknown, was not implemented. ÖóôÅ Ì· ÒÅ ÂâÎ ÂÅ©ßÅ ´Å Ì·ÒÌÅõ ç ÅÒâıß Ô©Å´ •Å ùÅ- The composition and plan of Burtelashen Ô·Ì, ·Ò´ Å„ ¡ï ç è´ ù ´·ıß °âıÅ Ì·Ò ßÅ´ ÅÒÔÅ ùÅÒÖ ï´¡- is characterized by a synthesis of such separate ´Å Ôï Â·ı ë©ÅßÉ: úÅ´ ßï ≠ÅÒ¡ Å©ó ÔÌ ©Åó´âÒ, ·Ò·´¡ Ç·ıÒ- sections as the massive and earthy ground floor, ëâ óÅ≠â ´ï •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ ÔÅ ùÅ´-Öâ £ÅÒ ÌâÎÔÅ ùÅ´ ÌâÒ- the comparatively high, vertically divided first ó·ı õ·ıë©Å´ üâÔ ßâù Ôâ£ ë·ı©ó â´ ÔÅ óïÎ âùâ £âÛï´ ¶· ßïù floor and the light columnar dome. •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ Ôï ÎÔâ£õÅ Ö·Ò õ·ı ë©·ı ´è üÅßÅ Òâó: The western façade, due to its unique de- ÏÅ©·Û °·Òï óÅ ÌÅ Ö·ı©´ ü·ı ≠ÅÒ °Å´Å ô·ıß Éè` Í©·ı- sign, adds an aesthetic expressiveness to the ´©ÅÛ âÂïÎù· Â· ÎÅ ´ïÎÔ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡è, óÅ ÌÅ Ö·ı©´´ ç decoration of the church. ´Å âı Å©á ìÅ ßÅ ´Å ùÅ ≠Ò ÁÅ´ï ·£Á ûÅ©ÅÎ ÔÅ ´·ıß âı ïÒÅ- A number of facts, coupled with the archi- ÌÅßÉ üÅßÅÒ Ì·ıß ç 14-Òá áÅ Òï üÅ©ùÅ ùÅ´ ÅÒÌâÎ Ôï tectural and aesthetic analysis of Burtelashen, ÆüÅ´ÒÅ Öï ÔÅÒÅ´Ø: allow attributing the construction of the church to Momik Vardpet. ¶·ı ÒÅá ûÅÎÒÅ ë©Å´ Noravank, the finest monumental ensemble §ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ ÂâÔ·ı ë©Å´ á·ù Ô·Ò of the Vayots Dzor region and the Episcopal See of Siunik, is the best structure in Armenia of that period and may truly be considered an "ency- clopedia" of 14th-century Armenian art.

Mourad Hasratian 36 Doctor of Architecture 37 ÜÅÒâÒï Through ˜·Ò°·ıë©·ı´´âÒï the Ravages ßïÁ·Ì of Centuries

38 ™·ÒÅÌÅ´¡è 20-Òá áÅÒï ÎùãÉï´ Noravank at the beginning of the 20th century 39 ÜâÂï ÌâÒÅõ´·ı´á Toward Rebirth

40 1970-ÅùÅ´ ëÌÅùÅ´´âÒÞ / 1970’s… 41 Å©ìßÞ / Now… 42 43 ÏâÒÅùÅ´Ö´ßÅ´ è´ëÅÛ¡·ıß / During the reconstruction 44 ™·ÒÅÌÅ´¡è ÌâÒÅõ´ÌâÛ ïÒ ÂÅÔâÒè ãÅÒáÅÒ·£ ˜©·ı´ïù ëÈ„´ï ÂâÎÞ Noravank was reborn like the phoenix bird adorning its walls

45 ™·ÒÅÌÅ´¡ï Reopening ÌâÒÅÉÅÛ·ıßè of Noravank

úÅ´Å„ úïÒÅ ùï` 1999 ë. ÅÂÒï óï 18-ï´, Äßâ- His Holiness Karekin I, Supreme Pa- ´Å©´ ûÅ ©·Û ÑÅÒâ Öï´ Ä ùÅë· £ï ù·Îï °âÈ ¡·Ì triarch and Catholicos of All Arme- Ôâ£ï ·ı´â ÛÅÌ ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï Í. ÄÎÔ ÌÅ õÅõï´ âı Í. ÍÔâ- nians, consecrated the churches of Noravank ˜Å ´·Î ™Å ôÅÌ ùÅ âùâ £âÛï ´â Òï ˚õ·ıßè: St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Virgin) and St. Stepanos ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡è, ·Ò ìÅßÅ ´Åùï´ â£âó ç Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ ßâÔ- Nakhavka on April 18, 1999 (Green Sunday). Ò· Â·óïÔ ´â Òï Åë·ÈÅ ´ïÎÔè, ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å´ ´â Òï ü· Öâ ı·Ò ùâ´- Noravank was once the metropolitan seat ÔÒ· ´´ ·ı áÅßÉÅ ÒÅ´Å ÌÅ© Òè, ´Åâı üÅ© âùâ £âÛÅ ùÅ´ of Siunik, the spiritual center of the Orbelians. It •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ Ô·ı ë©Å´ Åßâ´Å ´ ≠Å ´Å Ì·Ò ïÒÅÖ·Ò õ·ıß´â- is also renowned for its ecclesiastical architec- ÒïÛ ç: ÏÅ´Å ùÅ´ üÅ ßÅ óïÒè, ·Ò Ôâ £Å Ûï ´â Òè ÆúÅÒßïÒ ture. St. Stepanos Nakhavka was renovated in ÌÅ´¡Ø â´ Å´ÌÅ ´·ıß, „çÒ Ö·Òõ·ıß ≠·ıÒÁ ßâù áÅÒ: ÏÅ´- the 1980’s under the auspices of the State. ¡ï Í·ıÒÉ ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î ™ÅôÅÌ ùÅ âùâ £âÛï´ ÂâÔÅ ùÅ´ St. Astvatsatsin, half-destroyed by an ü· ÌÅ ´Å Ì·Ò·ı ë©ÅßÉ ÌâÒÅ ùÅ´ Ö´ Ìâó çÒ 1980-ÅùÅ´ earthquake, was only partially renovated. Thus, ëÌÅ ùÅ´ ´â Òï Îùã Éï´: îÎù Í. ÄÎ ÔÌÅ õÅõï´ âùâ £âÛï´, under the patronage of His Holiness Karekin Å´ Û©Åó áÅÒï ùâ Îâ Òï´ ùï Î·Ì „Å˜ ÅÌâÒÌÅõ óï´â ó·Ì I, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Ar- âÒ ùÒÅ ≠ÅÒ ìïÛ, ÌâÒÅ ùÅ´ Ö´ Ìâó çÒ ßïÅ©´ ßÅÎ ´Å ùï · Òâ´: menians, and Bishop Abraham Mgrdtchian, àÌ ÅüÅ, Äßâ´Å©´ ûÅ©·Û ÑÅ Òâ Öï´ Ä ùÅ ë·£ï ù·Îï Å´- Primate of the Siunik Diocese, and by arrange- ßï ÁÅùÅ´ ü· ÌÅ ´Å Ì·Ò·ı ë©ÅßÉ, Í©·ı´©ÅÛ ëâßï ÅÈÅÁ- ment of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, Execu- ´·Òá Ó. ÄÉÒÅ üÅß âÂÎ. ¶ùÒÔ „©Å ´ï âı Ó. ¶âÎÒ·Â ÅÒ¡. tive Secretary of the Committee for the 1700th Ä≠ •©Å´ï Öó ôÅÌ· ÒÅõ 1700-Åß©Åùï ÖÒÅÎâ ´©Å ùï ùÅã- Anniversary of the Adoption of Christianity as ßÅ ùâÒÂ ßÅßÉ, ùÅ´Å áÅ üÅ© ÉÅÒâ ÒÅÒ´âÒ ÓâÒ âı Óï ùï´ State Religion in Armenia, as well as through ÓïÖ ÒÅ´ âı Üï Å´Å ûÅ •â ë©Å´ ´âÒï ÉÅÒâ ÒÅ Ò·ıë©ÅßÉ, âÒ- the benevolence of Canadian-Armenian bene- ù·ı ÔÅÒ ÌÅ è´ ëÅÛ¡·ıß` 1996-1998 ëë., ïÒÅ ùÅ ´ÅÛ ÌâÛ factors Mr. Dicran and Mrs. Diana Hadjetian,

46 ¶·ßïù •ÅÒÔÅ ÒÅ Ââ Ôï ´ÅôÅ Ö õ·Ì ùÅÈ·ıÛ ÌÅõ âùâ£â- Û·ı Åß É·£ ÁÅùÅ´ Ìâ ÒÅ ùÅ´ Ö´·ı ßè (ÌâÒÅùÅ´Ö´ßÅ´ ´ÅôÅÖõï üâ£ï´Åù` ûÒÅ„ ÑÅÎÂÅÒ©Å´): ¶ï´„ âùâ £âÛ·ı ˚õ·ıßè` ÅÂ Òïóï 16-ï´, ÏÅ ©·Û °·Òï ßÅÒãùâ´ Ô Ò·´ à£âÖ´Å °· Ò·ıß ÎùÎÌâÛ Æ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´¡-99Ø Öï ÔÅì· £· Ìè (ùÅãßÅ ùâÒ Âï„` Æ¶·ßïùØ ß≠Åù·ı ëÅ ©ï´ ßï- ·ı ë©·ı´), ·Òï ÅÈÅÁï´ ´ïÎ Ôè ÌÅ ÒâÛ Ó. ¶âÎÒ·Â ÅÒ¡. Ä≠- •©Å´è: ÑïÔÅ ì· £· Ìï´ ãâ ù·ıÛ·ıß ´â Ò·Ì üÅ´áâÎ âùÅ´ Ó. ¨Åüç ÅÒ¡. Ä•âß©Å ´è, ÅùÅáâ ßï ù·Î ÏÅ ÒÅã áÅÔ ûÅ Ò·ı- ë©·ı ´©Å´è, ÖïÔ·ı ë©·ı´´â Òï á·ù Ô·Ò ´âÒ, ¶Å Ôâ´Å áÅ ÒÅ ´ï âı ûû ÑÄÄ ü´Å Öï Ô·ı ë©Å´ âı Åã ÖÅÖ Ò·ı ë©Å ´ ï´Î ÔïÔ·ı Ôï, ûÅ©ÅÎ ÔÅ ´ï Åã ÖÅ©ï´ ÂÅÔ ùâ ÒÅÎÒÅ üï ÖïÔ Å≠ôÅ Ô·£- ´âÒ: ™âÒùÅ çï´ âùâ £âÛ·ı ÉÅÒâ ÒÅÒ´â Òè, Í©·ı´©ÅÛ ëâßï ü· Öâ ı·Ò áÅ Îè, à£âÖ ´Å°· Òï ßÔÅÌ· ÒÅ ùÅ´·ı ë©Å´ âı üÅÎÅ ÒÅ ù·ı ë©Å´ ÔÅÒ ÉâÒ ôÅ ÌâÒï ´âÒùÅ ©Å Û·ı Ûï„ ´âÒ: ™·ı©´ ˚Òè ûÅ ©ÅÎÔÅ ´ï Åã ÖÅ©ï´ ÂÅÔ ùâ ÒÅÎÒÅ üï à£âÖ- ´Å°· Òï ßÅÎ´Å •©·ı £·ıß ÉÅÛÌâÛ Æ¶·ßïùØ ß≠Å ù·ı ëÅ©ï´ ßï ·ı ë©Å´ âı à£âÖ´Å °· Òï ´ùÅÒï„ ´â Òï` ìÅßÅ ´Å ùÅ ùïÛ üÅ© ¡ÒïÎÔ· ´âÅùÅ´ ÅÒ ÌâÎÔè ´âÒùÅ ©ÅÛ ´·£ Û·ıÛÅ üÅ´- áâÎ, ïÎù ¡Å£Å ¡ï âÒù ÒÅ ÖïÔÅ ùÅ´ ëÅ´ ÖÅ ÒÅ´ï ÎÒÅ- ü·ıß ùÅ©Å ÛÅÌ úÅ´Å áÅ ©·ıß üÒÅ ÔÅÒÅù ÌÅõ Æ™· ÒÅ- ÌÅ´¡-99Ø ÖÒ ¡ï ≠´·ÒüÅ´ áâ Îè: ÄÂ Òï óï 18-ï ÌÅ£ ÅÈÅÌ· ÔïÛ à£âÖ´Å °· ÒïÛ, ≠ÒÁÅ- ùÅ ¡Å£Å¡ ´â ÒïÛ ·ı Ö©·ı£â ÒïÛ, àÒâıÅ ´ïÛ, ÄÒÛÅ ôïÛ âı Å©ó ÌÅ© Òâ ÒïÛ áâÂï ™· ÒÅÌÅ´¡ ≠ÅÒ ìÌâ Ûï´ üÅ ãÅÒÅ- Ì·Ò ·ıôÔÅ Ì·Ò ´âÒ: ¨·ıÔ·Ì, ¶Å©Ò Äë·È Í. åÁ ßïÅõ ´ï ßï- ÅÉÅ´ üÅ©Òâ Òï ·ı £â ù Û·ıë©ÅßÉ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´¡ ìÅ ßÅ ´âÛ Äßâ´Å©´ ûÅ ©·Û ÑÅ Òâ Öï´ Ä ùÅë· £ï ù·Îè` ùÅ ÔÅÒâ ó·ı Í. the complete renovation of the church built by ÄÎ ÔÌÅ õÅõï´ âı Í. ÍÔâ ˜Å ´·Î ™Å ôÅÌ ùÅ âùâ £âÛï ´â Òï architect Momik was carried out in two years, ˚õ·ıßè: from 1996 to 1998 (Renovation plan was car- ÄÒÅÒ· £·ıë©Å ´è ´âÒ ùÅ çï´ ´Åâı ûû ß≠Åù·ı© ëï ried out by Hrach Gasparyan). ´ÅôÅ ÒÅÒ Ë·óÅ´á ¨Å È·©Å ´è, ÔÅÒÅõ ¡Å©ï´ ùÅÈÅ- The "Noravank 99" conference, organized ÌÅÒßÅ´ âı Ö·Ò õÅáïÒ üÅÒÛâ Òï ´ÅôÅ ÒÅÒ ÜÅÌïë äÅ- by the "Momik" Cultural Association, was con- á· ©Å´è, ûû ÖóôÅ Ì·Ò áÅ ÔÅ ôÅã Ä£ÌÅ´ û·ÌÎâ ˜©Å´è, Í. vened on April16 in Yeghegnadzor, Vayots ÄÎ ÔÌÅ õÅõï´ âùâ £âÛ·ı ÉÅ Òâ ÒÅÒ´âÒ ÓâÒ âı Óïùï´ ûÅ- Dzor, before the consecration of the church. •â ë©Å´ ´â Òè, üÅ ãÅÒÅ Ì·Ò ·ıôÔÅ Ì·Ò ´âÒ ûÅ ©ÅÎÔÅ ´ïÛ Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian presided at the âı Í˜©·ıÈ ¡ïÛ: first meeting. ¨ÅÒÅ ùÅ´ ´â Òï ·ı ÎÅ£ß· Î ´â Òï âÒÖâ Û· £·ıë©ÅßÉ Archbishop Shahe Adjemian, academi- ùÅ ë·£ï ù·ÎÅ ùÅ´ è´á üÅ ´·ıÒ ˜· ôÅ´·Òá Ó. ÑÅÒâ Öï´ cian Varazdat Harutiunian, doctors of sciences, ÅÒ¡. ™âÒÎï Î©Å´è, Ó. ¶âÎ Ò·Â ÅÒ¡. Ä≠ •©Å´è, Ó. ‰ÅÒ Öâı as well as scholars from the Matenadaran, RA âÂÎ. ¶ÅÒ Ôï Ò· Î©Å ´è, Ó. û·Ì´Å´ ÅÒ¡. ÓâÒ Ôâ Ò©Å´è, Ó. National Academy of Sciences, Archaeologi- ÄÉÒÅ üÅß âÂÎ. ¶ùÒÔ„©Å ´è, Ó. ÄÈÅ¡âó âÂÎ. ΩÅÒÅ ß©Å- cal-Ethnographic Institute and the National Gal- ´è ùÅ ÔÅÒâ Ûï´ Í. ÄÎÔ ÌÅ õÅõï´ âùâ £âÛ·ı ˚õ·ı ßè, ·ÒïÛ lery of Armenia, presented reports. üâÔ· ÎÒÉÅ ó·ı©Î ßâ È·´·Ì ·ı ££ Ìâ Ûï´ áâÂï Í. ÍÔâ˜Å ´·Î` On the same day, an exhibition of contem- ˚õâó·ı ´Åâı Å©Î âùâ£â Ûï´: porary Christian art by "Momik" Cultural Asso- àùâ£â Û·ı ˚õ ßÅ´ ÅÌÅÒÔï´ âÒÅôÔï ¡ï ô·Î¡ ÅÎÅÛ ciation and artists from Yeghegnadzor opened Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ ëâ ßï ÅÈÅÁ´·Òá Ó. ÄÉÒÅ üÅß âÂÎ. ¶ùÒÔ „©Å- in the Yeghegnadzor branch of the National Art ´è: àùâ£â Û·ı ÉÅ ´Åóï ´â ÒïÛ ßâ ùè ÎÒ ÉÅãÅ´ üÅ©Òè üÅ´- Gallery. áï ÎÅÌ· ÒÅ ÂâÎ üÅ´ °´âÛ Ïâ üÅ˜ÅÈ ûÅ© ÒÅÂâ Ôï´, âÒ ù- The presentation of the book "Noravank Ò·Òáè` âùâ£â Û·ı ÉÅ Òâ ÒÅÒ´âÒ ÓâÒ âı Óïùï´ ÓïÖ ÒÅ´ âı 99" published in Canada took place simultane- ÜïÅ ´Å ûÅ •â ë©Å´ ´â Òï´, ïÎù âÒ Ò·Òá´ ÅÈ üÅÌâÔ ùß ´Å ously in the Geological Museum of Yeghegnad- âùâ£â Û·ıß: zor. ¨´·ÒüÅ Ì· ÒÅ´ ¡ï ô·Î¡âÒ ÅÎÅ Ûï´ ´Åâı ÄÒ ÛÅôï Thousands of pilgrims from Yeghegnad- ëâßï ÅÈÅÁ ´·Òá Ó. ‰ÅÒ Öâı âÂÎ. ¶ÅÒÔï Ò· Î©Å ´è, ÏÅ- zor, neighboring towns and villages, Yerevan, 47 ©·Û °· Òï ßÅÒãÂâÔ ‰Å´ á·ıôÔ ¶Å´·ı ù©Å ´è, ñ¢û ß≠Å ù·ı©- Artsakh and elsewhere set off for Noravank ëï ´ÅôÅ ÒÅÒ ÄÒ ßâ´ ÍÅÒÖ Î©Å´è: ÄÂÅ ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï early on the morning of April 18. Shortly after- ˚õßÅ´ ÅÈï ë·Ì ÏâüÅ ˜ÅÈ ûÅ© ÒÅÂâ Ôï ô·Î ¡´ è´ ëâÒ- wards, His Holiness Karekin I, accompanied by ÛâÛ Ó. ¶âÎÒ·Â ÅÒ¡. Ä≠•©Å ´è: the Monastic Brotherhood of the Holy See of ÆÍÅ Å©óâ ıÎ ü·ı ≠ÅÒ °Å´ „ç. ÎÅ üÅÌÅÔ ¡ï âı ß≠Åù·ı©- Etchmiadzin, arrived to consecrate the church- ëï ˚ÁÅô ç: ÍÅ •ÅÒ ÔÅÒÅ Ââ ÔÅ ùÅ´ âı ¡Å´áÅ ùÅ Ö·Ò- es of St. Astvatsatsin and St. Stepanos Nakhav- õÅ ùÅ´ ù· ë·£ „ç. ÎÅ ÆáÂÒ·ÛØ ç, ßï Æ≠¡· óÅØ, ï´„ ÂâÎ ka. The ceremony was also attended by the Å©´ ¡Å´ ùÎïÒâÒ ÅÎâó ‰È·≠©Å´Û, ˙ÒÉâ ó©Å´Û âı ÅÌÅ ÔÅ- Minister of Culture Roland Sharoyan, Minister ÂâÔÅ ùÅ´ Å©ó ßâõ ÖâÒ áÅÎ ÔÅ´´â Òï ÂÅÔ ß·ıë©Å´ üß·ıÔ of Territorial Governance and Executive Af- ßÅÎ´Å ÖâÔ ÑÅÒâ Öï´ ùÅ ë·£ï ù·Î û·Ì Îâ ˜©Å´ Ûè, ·ıÒ Âï- fairs Davit Zadoyan, Prosecutor General Agh- Ôï ÖÅ´ ÎâÒ·ı´á ´âÒ` Å©ÎÔâ£ ÖÔ ´â ó·ı üÅ ßÅÒ Å£É©·ıÒ´ üÅ- van Hovsepian, benefactors of St. Astvatsatsin ÌÅÔ¡ï, Öâ £âÛù·ı ë©Å´ âı ü·Öâ ı·Ò ·ı ßÔÅ Ì·Ò •ÅÈÅ ÖÅ©- Church Mr. and Mrs. Hadjetian, thousands of ë·ıßï: ÍÅ Å©óâ ıÎ Î·Îù Å´Û©Å óï ü·ı≠Å ÒÅÒ „ç, Å©ó ÅÂÒ·£, pilgrims from Armenia and the Diaspora. ≠´ „·£ ·ıô ÔÅÔâ £ï, ·ıÒ ßâÒ ì·£· ÌÒ áï ãÅÌÅù ´â Òè ÂïÔï St. Astvatsatsin and St. Stepanos church- ÖÅ´ üÅ •ÅôÅ ùï üâÒëÅ ùÅ´·ı ë©ÅßÉ, áÂÒ· ÛÅ ùÅ´ ´âÒ, es were consecrated by Archbishop Karekin üÅ ßÅ ó ÎÅÒÅ ´ÅùÅ´ ´âÒ, ·ÒÂâÎ ãï Æ¡ÅÒâ £â´Ø ÖÒ¡â Òï Nersessian, Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, Bish- ßï Áï ü· Öâ£â´ •≠ ßÅÒ Ô·ı ë©Å´ ÅÒ ìâ¡´â Òè ¡Å £â´, ßïÅ- op Pargev Martirossian, Archbishop Hovnan ôÅÈ´â´ ïÒâ´Û ü·Öâ ÉÅ ´·ı ë©Å´ âı ÖïÔ·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ âı áÅÈ- Derderian, Bishop Abraham Mgrdtchian, and ´Å´ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï ´·Ò ÆüÅ ÌÅÔÅ Û©Åó´â ÒèØ: Bishop Arakel Karamian. ÏâüÅ ˜ÅÈ ûÅ©ÒÅ Ââ Ôè ´Å âı Ö´Å üÅÔÅ´ ¡ï ô·Î¡´ At the end of the consecration ceremo- çÒ ·ı£ £·ıß É·ó·Ò ´ÒÅ´Û, ·Ì¡âÒ ïÒâ´Û ÅÌÅ´á´ â´ ·ı ´â Ûâó ny, the Primate of the Siunik Diocese, Bishop âùâ£â Û·ı ÌâÒÅ ùÅ´ Ö´ßÅ´ Ö·Ò õ·ıß: Mgrdtchian, expressed his gratitude. ÄÌÅÒ Ôâó·Ì è´ëâÒ ÛÅ ´·ı ë©·ı ´è` ¶âÎÒ·Â ÍÒÉÅ ãÅ- Then he solemnly handed one of the three ´è úÅ´Å„ úïÒÅ ùï´ üÈ„Å ùâÛ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï ·ıô Ôï ˚Ò: keys to the church to His Holiness Karekin I, and ÄÂÅ ÄÒÔÅù ÅÉ£. Óï ÖÒÅ ´©Å ´´ è´ëâÒ ÛâÛ Ïâ üÅ ˜ÅÈ the second key was presented to the benefac- ûÅ©ÒÅ Ââ Ôï ù·´áÅ ùè, ·Ò·Ì Í. ÄÎ ÔÌÅ õÅõï´ âùâ£â Û·ı

48 ĈŀĶŃĶŔ·ŕ ŘĿ·ŕŅĹ Church consecration 49 ÉÅ Òâ ÒÅ Òï´ ≠´·Òü ÌâÛ ûÅ©ÅÎ ÔÅ ´âÅ©Û ÄÈÅ ¡âóÅ ùÅ´ tors Mr. and Mrs. Hadjetian. The third one will àùâ£â Û·ı ÉÅÒ ° ÒÅÖ·ı©´ ÂÅÒ Öâ ıè` ÆÍ. ÑÒï Ö·Ò ñ·ı ÎÅÌ·- forever remain in the church. Òï„Ø ≠¡Å ´≠Å ´è: Äßâ´Å©´ ûÅ ©·Û üÅ© ÒÅÂâ Ô´ Å´ °ÅßÉ Bishop Martirossian, Governor of Vayots ≠¡Å´ ≠Å ´è ˜ÅùÛ ÒâÛ Óï ÖÒÅ´ ûÅ•â ë©Å´ï ùÒõ ¡ï´: Dzor Pandukht Manukyan, and Minister of Cul- ûÅ´ áï ÎÅÌ·Ò ßÅ ÎïÛ üâ Ô· ´âÒ ùÅ©ÅÛ ÌâÛ è´ áÅÒ °Åù ture of Nagorno Karabakh Republic Armen ß≠Åù·ı ëÅ©ï´ üÅ© ÔÅ ÖïÒ, âó·ı©ë ·ı ´â ÛÅ´ ßÅÒãï ÂÅÒÅ- Sargsyan also made congratulatory speeches. ©ï´ ôßÉâ Òè, ïÒâ´Û ÎÔâ£ õÅÖ·Ò õ·ı ë©·ı´ ´â Òè Û·ı ÛÅá Òâ- Then, Archbishop Ashjian read the message Ûï´ Ôâ £Å Ûï âı àÒâıÅ ´ïÛ ìÅ ßÅ ´Åõ ÅÒÌâÎ ÔÅ ÖâÔ ´â Òè: of His Holiness Karekin I on the consecration àÒâ ıï ÌâÛ-©·ë áÅÒ ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï °· Òè „çÒ Ôâ Îâó Å©á- of Noravank. ¡Å´ ßÅÒáùÅ ©ï´ ÉÅãß·ı ë©·ı´, Å©á Âï Îï ßâõ Ô· ´Åôß É·ı- "Noravank is no longer a monument. It is ë©·ı´: ûÅãÅ ÒÅ ß©Å °· Òè ù©Å´¡ çÒ ÅÈâó, ·Ò·Ì üâÔâı ÌâÒÅ- a house of faith and culture to be attended by ÉÅÛ Ìâó çÒ ´ÒÅ ßÅÒÖÅ ÒïÔè` ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡è: generations who will find here the source of faith, beauty, spiritual and mental comfort. It is éÎÔ 1999-ï ÅÂ Òï óï´ üÒÅÔÅ ÒÅù ÌÅõ no longer a reminder of the past, but a place of ßÅß·ı óï ´©·ı ëâ Òï pilgrimage attended by the sons of our nation. Schoolchildren and students will come here and learn the truth from these stone books!" In his message, His Holiness Karekin I expressed his gratitude to those who had made significant contributions to the renovation of the church. The second Sunday following Easter, i.e. Green Sunday in the Armenian ecclesiastical calendar, was declared a Day of Pilgrimage to Noravank. The encyclical of His Holiness was read out loud, awarding the benefactor of St. Astvat- satsin Church with the medal of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the highest award of the Armenian Church. His Holiness personally pinned the medal to the breast of Dicran Hadjetian. After the solemn part of the ceremony, a cultural program was presented. Dance en- sembles of the region performed. Local and Yerevan artists presented their works. For near- ly 6-7 centuries, the gorge of Noravank had not witnessed such a crowd and such a great fes- tivity. The centuries-old gorge was revived as its gem Noravank reopened.

1999 April Press Release

ĢļĴőĲŇ Ķŕ ćļĲŇĲ ēĲńĶĺņĲŇŇĶő 50 Dicran and Diana Hadjetian ēĲőĲķĲŐŇĶőļ ňőŌĲŋĲŐ·ŕŅ / With Relatives ēĲņőĲŋĶŐĲŀĲŇ ĴŇĲŁĲŐĲŇŗ / Appreciation of the Patriarch

51 10 ÔÅÒï ÅÈÅÁ Ten Years Ago

θ· ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï ÌâÒÅ ÉÅ Û·ı ßïÛ ÅÈÅÁ, 1999 A collection of articles entitled "Nora- ëÌÅ ùÅ´ï´, ¶·´ ÒâÅ ó·ıß ó·ı©Î Ôâ ÎÅÌ Æ™· ÒÅ- vank-99" and devoted to the history ÌÅ´¡-99Ø Ìâ ÒÔÅ È·ı ë©ÅßÉ ì·£· ÌÅ õ·ı´, ·Òè ´ÌïÒÌÅõ of the celebrated monastery as well as the çÒ ´≠Å ´Å Ì·Ò ÌÅ´¡ï ÂÅÔ ß·ı ë©Å´è âı Í. ÄÎÔ ÌÅ õÅõï´ renovation of the St. Astvatsatsin [Holy Virgin] âùâ£â Û·ı Ìâ ÒÅ´· Ò·Ö ßÅ ´è: ™ÅôÅ °âÈ´·£´ çÒ ¶âÎÒ·Â Church upon the initiative of Archbishop Mes- ÅÒ¡â ÂïÎ ù· Â·Î Ä≠•©Å ´è, Í˜©·ıÈ ¡·ıß õ´ÌÅõ, ÉÅ©Û Åß- rob Ashjian was published in Montreal In 1999, É·£ ÁÅ ÂâÎ ûÅ©ÅÎ ÔÅ ´·Ì ÅÂÒ·£ ÉÅÛÅ Èïù ´ÌïÒ©Åó ßï before the reopening of Noravank. Born in the ßÅÒá âı Ôï ÂÅÒ ü·Öâ ı· ÒÅ ùÅ´: ûÅ©ÅÎ ÔÅ ´·ıß ¡ÒïÎÔ·- Diaspora, Mesrob Ashjian was a devout son of ´â·ıë©Å´ ·ÒÂâÎ ÂâÔÅ ùÅ´ ùÒ·´ üÈ„Åù ßÅ´ 1700-Åß©Å- Armenia and a model clergyman. ùï ÖÒÅ Îâ´©Å ùï ÌÅÒï„ ¡ÅÒÔ·ı £Å Òï ÂÅ≠ Ô· ´·ıß ÖÔ´ Ìâ- As Secretary General presiding over the ó·Ì, ´Å Åßâ´ ÁÅ´¡ Ö·Ò õÅá Ò·ıß çÒ ·ÒÂâÎ ãï ÂÅÔ≠Å• Office of the 1700th Anniversary of the Adop- ùâÒ Â·Ì ´≠ Ìï Å©á áÅÒÅ ùÅã ßïù ü· Éâó©Å ´è: ¨ÅÔ ÉÅ´ tion of Christianity as State Religion of Arme- üÅÁ·£ ÌâÛ` Å©á ëÌ·ıß` ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï ´· Ò·Ö·ı ßè, ·Ò·≠ nia, he spared no effort to celebrate this mo- ÉÅ´ çó Å´ ùÅ ÔÅÒ ß´ÅÛ: Ä©á Åßâ ´´ Å©ìß ÂÅÔ ß·ı ë©·ı´ mentous jubilee with due attention. It was an ç: î´ ¡è` ÉÅã ßÅÒ á©·ı´ ¶âÎÒ·Â ÍÒÉÅ ãÅ ´´ çó Å´ ìÅ ßÅ- unprecedented success. ´Åù ù©Å´¡ïÛ üâ ÈÅÛÅÌ 2003-ï´Þ ÇÅ©Û ÂÅÔß·ı ë©·ı ´è His Eminence Mesrob Ashjian passed ùÅ Òâ ı·Ò ç üâ´Û ´ÒÅ´·Ì, ·Ò ïÒ ßâÁ üï ≠· £·ıë©Å´ üâÔ ßâù- away prematurely in 2003. What makes his- Ôâ£ ´Å âı ÂÅÔÖÅß ç ÂÅ Ò·ı ´Å ù·ıß: ‰ÅÔÖÅß` ÉÅÒï Ö·Ò- tory significant is that it contains both memory õâ Òï, ü·Öâ ı·Ò ù©Å´¡·Ì ÅÂÒâ ó·ı, Åã´ Ì·ıë©Å´, ÌâüÅ´ °- and message. The message is to live a spiritual ´·ı ë©Å´, üÅ© Òâ´Å ÎïÒ·ı ë©Å´, âùâ£â ÛÅ Îï Ò·ı ë©Å´, ÉÅÒâ- life, along with doing good deeds, and display- Ö·Òõ·ı ë©Å´: ing honesty, magnanimity, patriotism, piety and charity. Archbishop Ashjian’s speech, excerpted from the book "Noravank-99," is presented below. It refers to the parents of benefactors Di- cran and Diana Hadjetian. (The English version is being published herewith for the first time.).

Words of Blessing and Memory

The renovation program of churches and monasteries has a special role in the celebrations of the 1700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia. Indeed, under the auspices of His Holi- ness, Karekin I, Supreme Patriarch and Catholi- cos of All Armenians, dozens of churches will reopen and host the faithful, who will come closer to God, thank their Creator and pray for peace in the world, especially in Armenia, and happiness to Armenians. The St. Astvatsatsin Burtelashen Church in the village of Amaghu was the first to be renovated. The expenses for the renovation and landscaping were covered by a couple from Montreal, Canada, Mr. and Mrs. Dicran and 52 Diana Hadjetian, in memory of their parents, ÍÔ·Òâı ´âÒùÅ ©ÅÛ Ì·£` ¶âÎ Ò·Â ÅÒ¡â ÂïÎù· Â·Î Ä≠- •©Å´ï ô·Î ¡è ¡Å£ ÌÅõ ç Æ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´¡-99Ø ÖÒ ¡ïÛ âı ÌâÒÅ- Éâ Ò·ıß ç ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï ÉÅÒâ ÒÅÒ´âÒ ÓïÖ ÒÅ´ âı Üï Å´Å ûÅ•â ë©Å´ ´â Òï õ´·£´â Òï´ (Å´Ö óâ Òâ´ ëÅÒ ÖßÅ´·ı ë©ÅßÉ üÒÅ ÔÅÒÅù Ì·ıß ç ÅÈÅ Áï´ Å´ ÖÅß):

ΩÒïÎ Ô· ´ç ·ı ëâÅ´ ûÅ©ÅÎ ÔÅ ´ï ÂâÔÅ ùÅ´ ùÒ˚´ üÈ- „ÅùßÅ´ 1700-ÅßâÅ ùï Ô˚ ´Å ùÅ ÔÅÒ·ı ëâÅ´Û ≠ÅÒ¡ï´ ©Å Ô·ıù Ôâ£ ·ı´ï ÌÅ´ ¡âÒ·ı âı âùâ£â Ûï ´â Ò·ı ÌâÒÅ ´· Ò· Ö·ı-

ëâÅ´ õÒÅÖï Òè: ÄÒáÅ Òâı, Äßâ ´Å©´ ûÅ ©·Û ûÅ© ÒÅÂâ Ôï´, ėĶŎő·ŋ ĲőŗĶŋļŎŀ·ŋ·Ŏ ĄňńņĲŇ / Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian ™. Í. ˙. Ó. Ó. ÑÅ Òâ Öï´ Ä úÅ ë·£ï ù·Îï ü·ÌÅ ´ïï´ ´âÒ- ¡âı ÉÅãßÅ ÔÅÎ´âÅù âùâ£â Ûï ´âÒ ÌâÒÎ Ôï´ ùè ÂÅ© õÅ- ÈÅ´Å´ âı ùè Öâ£âÛ ùÅ ´Å´ âı ïÒâ´Û ùÅßÅÒ ´â Ò·ı ´âÒ¡âı ù’è´ á·ı ´ï´ Å£˚ëÅ ı·Ò üÅ ıÅ ÔÅ ÛâÅó ´â Òè, ·Ò·´¡ Âï Ôï Åıâóï ß˚Ôâ ´Å´ ÄÎ Ô·ıõ·©, ˜ÅÈ¡ âı Ö· ü·ı ëïı´ ÔÅ´ ïÒâ´Û ÍÔâ£ õï„ï´ âı Å£˚ ëâ´ Å≠ôÅÒ üï ôÅ £Å £·ıëâÅ´, ûÅ ©·Û Å≠ôÅ Òüï Å´á·Ò Ò·ıëâÅ´, âı üÅ© ì·£· Ì·ıÒ áï âÒ ÁÅ´ù·ı- ëâÅ´ üÅßÅÒ: Ä©á ÌÅ´¡â Ò·ı âı âùâ £âÛï ´â Ò·ı ´·Ò· Ö·ı ëâÅ´Û ≠ÅÒ- ¡ï´ ÅÈÅÁï ´è üÅ´áï ÎÅ ÛÅı ÄßÅ £·ı ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï Ç·ıÒ- ëâ óÅ≠ç´ Í. ÄÎ Ô·ıÅõÅ õï´ âùâ £âÛï´, ·Ò·ı´ ´· Ò·Ö·ı ëâÅ´ âı ≠ÒÁÅ ÂÅ Ôï ÉÅÒâ ùÅÒÖ·ı ëâÅ´ õÅôÎâ Òè Îï ÒÅ©˚ ìÅÒ ùâÒ Â·Ì ÎÔÅ´° ´â Ûï´ ¶·´ëÒâÅ óï (ÑÅ ´Å ÔÅ) É´Å ùï„ üÅ ıÅ ÔÅı·Ò âı Îï Òâ óï ã·©Ö ßè` ÓïÖ ÒÅ´ âı Óï Å´Å ûÅ •ç- ëâÅ´ Åß·óè, ï ©ï≠Å ÔÅù ïÒâ´Û õ´·£ÅÛ` ñâ ı·´ âı Ä´ ìçó ûÅ•ç ëâÅ ´ï âı ®·ÌüÅ´ ´çÎ ÍÔâ˜Å ´âÅ ´ï: Levon and Angele Hadjetian and Hovhannes ÓïÖ ÒÅ´ âı ÓïÅ ´Å ÑÅ ´Å ÔÅ©ï üÅ© ÖÅ £·ı ëï Îï- Stepanian. Ò·ıÅõ âı ©ÅÒ Ö·ıÅõ Å´áÅß ´â Òç´ â´, ïÒâ´Û Ö·Ò õ·ı´ ç ·ı ëïı- Dicran and Diana are beloved and hon- ´è ©ÅÔùÅ ÂçÎ õÅıÅ óÅõ â´ Í. ®Å ù·É ¶Å©Ò âùâ£âÛ ı·© âı ored members of the Armenian community in áÂÒ· Ûï ≠ÒÁÅ ´Å ùï´ ßçÁ, âı Ö´ÅüÅ Ô·ıÅõ ¶â õï ÓÅ´´ Canada. They have been generous donors to úï óïùï ·© ï´„ ÂçÎ ÑÅÒâ Öï´ âı ÄÒÅß úÅë· £ï ù·Î ´â Òç´ âı the Surp Hagop Armenian Church and School Äßâ´Å©´ ûÅ©·Û Ó. Ó. ÑÅÒâ Öï´ Ä ûÅ©ÒÅ Ââ Ôç´` ïÒâ´Û ÉÅ- in Montreal. They have been held in high es- ÒâÂÅ≠ Ô·ı ëâÅ´, üÅ ıÅÔ¡ï´, °âÈ´â Òï Û·ıëâÅ´ üÅßÅÒ âı teem by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of ï Ö´Å üÅÔ·ı ëïı´ ïÒâ´Û Û·ıÛÅ Éâ ÒÅõ üÅ ßÅ üÅ© ùÅ ùÅ´ the Great House of Cilicia, and His Holiness ·Öï ï´: ÓÅÒÉâÒ „çÒ Åó ùÒ´ÅÒ èó óÅó. ï ÌâÒ Á·©` Æ·Òáï ´ßÅ- Karekin I, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of ´·ı ëïı´ ü˚Ò´ ÉâÒçØ, âı Óï ÖÒÅ´ âı Óï Å´Å` ïÒâ´Û õ´· £ÅÛ All Armenians, for their piety, faith, enterprise, üÅÒÅ ãÅÔ ÂÅÔùâÒ´ â´, Å´·´Û ÎïÒ·©´ ÅÒÖÅ Îï ¡è, patriotism and charity. Å´·´Û •Åß Éç´ ¡Å ó·£ üÅ ©·ı ü· Öï´â Ò: After all, Dicran and Diana continued the ‡ıÎÔï, Å©Î ÅÈëïı, ù’·ıãâ´¡ ©ï≠Å ÔÅ ùï âı ˚Ò ü´·ı ëâÅ´ way of their parents. Like father, like son. To ô˚Î¡ Åó ÅÒ °Å´Å Ö Òâó ÄßÅ £·ı ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï Ç·ıÒëâ óÅ- this end, we would like to bless and remem- ≠ç´ Í. ÄÎ Ô·ıÅõÅ õï´ âùâ£â Ûïï ÌâÒÅ ´· Ò· Ö·ı ëâÅ´Û ÎÅ- ber the parents of the couple who contributed ÔÅÒ·£ Åß·óï õ´·£ÅÛ ©ï ≠ÅÔÅ ùï´: to the renovation of the St. Astvatsatsin Bur- Óï Å´Å ©ï üÅ© Òè` ®·ÌüÅ´ ´çÎ ÍÔâ ˜Å ´âÅ´, õ´Åõ ç telashen Church of Noravank. Diana’s father, ‰Å ¡·ı, 3 ®·ı´·ıÅÒ 1903 ë., âı è´ÔÅ ´â˚¡ ˜· ôÅ á Ò·ıÅõ Hovhannes Stepanian, was born on January 3, ‰ÅÒÎùÅÎ ÔÅ´, û´á ùÅÎÔÅ´, ü·ıÎù` àÖïÂ Ô·Î: ®·Ì üÅ´- 1903 in Baku. The family moved to Persia and ´çÎ 1929-ï´ ßâù´Åõ ç ‰·ıç´·Î Ä©ÒçÎ, ÄÒìÅ´ ëï´: Ä©´Ôâ£ India, then Egypt. In 1929 Hovhannes emigrat- ùè õÅ£ùï ïÒ ùâÅ´¡è, ù’Åß·ıÎ ´Å´Å© Â·ıÒ ÎÅ Ûï ÄãÅ- ed to Buenos Aires, Argentina. There he met Ô·ı üï ¸âÒ ßÅ ´âÅ ´ï üâÔ, ùè ÉÅ£áÅ ı· Ò·ıï âÒ ù·ı á·ıÎ Ô Òâ- his wife, Azaduhi Fermanian, who bore him Ò·Ì` Óï Å´Å-Ä´Å üïÔ âı åÔ ´Å-™Å ©ï Òï: two daughters, Diana-Anahid and Edna-Nairi. ®·ÌüÅ´ ´çÎ ù’·ı´â ´Å© Åã ÖÅ©ï´ -âùâ £âÛÅ ùÅ´ Éâ- Hovhannes led a prolific national life. He £·ı´ Ö·Ò õ·ı ´ç ·ı ëïı´, ùè üÅ´áï ÎÅ´Å© û. ®. ÜÅ≠´Å ù Û·ı- was a distinguished figure in the Armenian 53 ĄķĲ Ő·ŕ Łļ ĩĶőŅĲŇņĲŇ ē·ŏŁĲŇŇĶŎ ĠŐĶŖĲŇņĲŇ ĄŇĻĶĽ ēĲńĶĺņĲŇ ďŚ·Ň ēĲńĶĺņĲŇ Azadouhi Fermanian Hovhannes Stepanian Angele Hadjetian Levon Hadjetian

ëâÅ´ ùÅÒ ùÅÈ·ı´ áçß¡, òÒïßâÅ´ ÌÅÒìÅ ÒÅ´ï üïß ´Å- Revolutionary Federation, the founder of the áïÒ, û. ¶. é. ¶.-ÅùÅ´, ßï≠Ô Å≠ ôÅÔâ ó·Ì õÅ ÈÅ©âó âùâ £â- Khrimian School, as well as the founder and Ûï ï´, ïÒ ÂÅÔùÅ ´Åõ ùÅãßÅ ùâÒ Â·ı ëâÅ´Û` üÅıÅÔ ¡·Ì, president of the Homenetmen Club. He served ´·ıï Ò·ıßï Å´≠Å üÅ ô´ áïÒ ·Öï·Ì: the church and these organizations with faith, ®·ÌüÅ´ ´çÎ ÍÔâ˜Å ´âÅ´ ßÅüÅ ÛÅı 25 ü·ùÔâß ÉâÒ devotion and a spirit of impartiality. Hovhannes 1977-ï´ : Stepanian passed away on October 25, 1977. ÓïÖ ÒÅ´ï üÅ© Òè` ñâı·´ ûÅ •çëâÅ´, õ´Åõ ç 1900-ï´, Dicran’s father, Levon Hadjetian, was born Óç˚Òë à˚ó, Óï ÖÒÅ ´Å ùâÒÔ Ûï è´ ÔÅ ´ï ¡ï ßâÁ: ûÅ©·ı Îâı in 1900 into a Dortyol family from Tigranakert. •Å ùÅ ÔÅ ÖïÒè áÅÈ´ ˚ Òç´ üÅÒ·ıÅ õÅõ ç ´Åâı ïÒ è´ÔÅ ´ï- The tragic fate of the Armenians struck ¡è âı 1915-ï´ ¡≠·ıâó·Ì Å¡Î· Òï •ÅßÉÅ ´â Òè, üÅ ÎÅõ ç ÓçÒ his family, too. In 1915 they were deported to ä˚Òï Å´ÅÂÅÔ ´â Òè, ·ıÒ áÅÈ´ ˚ÒâÒ ÅÂ Òâ óç âÔ¡ âùÅõ ç the desert of Der-Zor; having spent bitter days ûÅóçÂ, ‰ç©Ò·ıë: 1922-ï´ ñâ ı·´ Å´ÛÅõ ç Ä£â¡ÎÅ´ á ÒïÅ` there, they went first to Aleppo and then Bei- àÖïÂ Ô·Î, ·ıÒ âı üÅ´ áïÂÅõ ç ïÒ ùâÅ´ ¡ï è´ùâ Ò·ıüï ï´` rut. In 1922, Levon left for Alexandria, Egypt, Ä´ìçó ‰âÔ Ò· ÎâÅ ´ï´, ·Ò·ı üâÔ Åó ùÅã ßâÛ è´ ÔÅ ´â ùÅ´ where he met his future wife Angele Bedros- ¡Å£ ÛÒ É·©´ ßè âı ÄÎÔ·ıÅõ ˚Òü ´âÛ ïÒâ´Û Åß·ıÎ´·ı ëïı- sian. They got married and lived happily. God ´è` ≠´·Ò üâó·Ì ïÒâ´Û âÒù·ı ãÅ ıÅù ´âÒ` ÓïÖ ÒÅ ´·ı üï âı blessed their union, granting them two chil- ÓïÖ ÒÅ´: ñâ ı·´ ·ı ´â ÛÅı ÅÈâıÔ ÒÅ ùÅ´ ©ÅÁ·£ ÅÎ ÂÅ Òçã` dren: Dicranuhi and Dicran. ≠´·Ò üïı ïÒ ´ÅôÅ °âÈ´·ı ëâÅ´ âı É´ÅÔ·ıÒ ≠´·Òü´â Ò·ı´: Owing to his practical innate abilities, Le- Ñ·Òõï ù·£¡ï´` ñâı·´ â£Åı ÉÅÒâ ÒÅÒ âı ßâùâ ´ÅÎ: von achieved heights in commerce. Besides ñâ ı·´ âı Ä´ìçó ûÅ•ç ëâÅ´ Åß·óè 1962 ë. üÅÎÔÅ Ô·ıâ- business, he was a benefactor and a patron ÛÅı ¶·´ëÒ ç Åó, ÑÅ´Å ÔÅ, ·ıÒ ùÅÒ• ìÅßÅ ´Åù ©âÔ·© ñâı·´ of arts. üÅ´ÖÎ ÔâÅ´ ù·„·ıâ ÛÅı, ßï≠Ô ≠ÅÒ·ı ´Å ùâ ó·Ì ïÒ ÉÅÒâ ÒÅ- Levon and Angele Hadjetian settled in Ò·ıëïı´ ´â Òè ÅãÖÅ ©ï´ ≠ÒÁÅ ´Å ùç ´âÒÎ: à£Åı ù´ ¡ÅüÅ©Ò Montreal, Canada in 1962. Shortly afterwards, Í. ®Å ù·É àùâ £âÛı·© âı üÅÎÅı É· ó·Òï ùÅ Òï¡ï´: Óï ùï´ Ä´- Levon retired but always remained engaged ìçó´ Åó, ïÒ üÅ´ÒÅ ©ï´ Ö·Ò õ·ı ´ç ·ı ëâÅ´ ßâÁ, â£Åı Å≠ô·©ì in national benevolence. Levon Hadjetian be- âı ôÅ´ áÅÌÅÈ üÅ ©·ı üï: àÖïÂÔ· Îï ßâÁ` ¶ôï ëÅ ÒâÅ´´â- came the godfather of the Surp Hagop Church Ò·ı Ôïù ´Å´Û ßï·ı ëâÅ´ Å´ áÅß çÒ, ßÅÎ ùè ùÅã ßçÒ ûÅ© and helped people in need. Angele was an en- úÅÒ ßïÒ òÅ „ï´, ÑÅ´Å ÔÅ ©ï ßçÁ Åó` û.˙.¶.-ï´, ßï Å ìÅ ßÅ- thusiastic public figure. She was a hard-work- ´Åù üÅ´áï ÎÅ´Å ó·Ì ìÒÅÁÅ´ âı ÂÅÒÔÅ •Å´Å„ Å´áÅß ing and conscientious member of the Mkhitar- ïÒ ÂÅÔ ùÅ´Åõ ßï·ı ëâÅ´Û, âı ÅıÅ´ áÅ ÂÅü ßÅ©Ò` ïÒ ian Ladies Guild in Egypt, the Armenian Red è´ ÔÅ ´ï ¡ï´: Cross, as well as the Armenian Relief Society ñâ ı·´ ßÅ üÅ ÛÅı 7 ˙Ö·Î Ô·Î 1986-ï´, Ä´ ìçó` 19 in Canada. At the same time, she was a devot- ™·©âß ÉâÒ 1991-ï´, ÉÅ©Û, ÌÎÔÅü â´¡, Ö·ü âı âÒ ÁÅ´ïù, ed, traditionalist mother to her family. ¡Å´ï ïÒâ´Û ãÅıÅù ´â Òè` Óï ÖÒÅ´ âı ÓïÅ ´Å, üÅßÉ·ı Òâ- Levon died on August 7, 1986; Angele, on óï üÅ ıÅ ÔÅÒß·ı ëâÅßÉ ùè ≠Å Ò·ı ´Å ùâ´ ïÒâ´Û Ö·Òõè` Åã- November 19, 1991. ÖÅ©ï´, âùâ£â ÛÅ ùÅ ´, ß≠Åù·ı ëÅ©ï´ ÅÎÂÅ Òçã´â Òç ´âÒÎ, They passed away in peace, and their chil- üÅ´ áï ÎÅ´Å ó·Ì ÔïÂÅÒ ÉÅ Òâ ÒÅÒ´âÒ, âı ©ÅÔùÅ ÂçÎ Îï- dren faithfully continue their work in national, 54 Òâ óï Å´°âÒ, ·Ò·´¡ ïÒâ´Û ≠·ıÒÁ ùè ÔÅÒÅ õâ´ ÎçÒ, ÉÅÒâ- ecclesiastical and cultural areas, as model benefactors and valued members of the community, who spread love, friendship, faith in and respect for man. In November 1997, Dicran and Diana Had- jetian were decorated with the Knight of Cilicia medal by Catholicos Aram I. Today, we have gathered in Noravank to express our gratitude to Diana and Dicran, Di- ana’s mother, Azaduhi, their children and relatives, since they have given us such an opportunity to see the splendor of the dome of St. Astvatsatsin Burtelashen. May we remember Levon and Angele Hadjetian and Hovhannes Stepanian in our prayers so that God may accept them in His Kingdom of Heaven.

March 2, 1999, Holy Etchmiadzin

Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian Executive Secretary of the 17th Centenary Celebrations Office

ę·őĲŏĲŇŗļ ·ŕľŐļ ŘőĹ, 2000ĺ. ĲŋőļĽļ 23-ļŇ / Day of Pilgrimage to Noravank, April 23, 2000

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2 ¶ÅÒÔ 1999, Í. åÁßï Å õï´

θ· ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï Í. ÄÎÔ ÌÅ õÅõï´ âùâ £âÛï´ ùïÎ·Ì The St. Astvatsatsin Church of Nora- „Å˜ ÅÌâÒÌâó çÒ 1840 ë. âÒù ÒÅ ≠ÅÒ ìïÛ: 1996- vank was half-destroyed in the earth- 98 ëë. Äßâ ´Å©´ ûÅ ©·Û ùÅ ë·£ï ù·Î ÑÅÒâ Öï´ ÄÈÅÁï ´ï quake of 1840. Renovations were carried out ü· ÌÅ ´Å Ì·Ò·ı ë©ÅßÉ, 1700-Åß©Å ùï Ô· ´Å ùÅ ÔÅÒ·ı ë©Å´ during 1996-1998 under the auspices of the ÖÒÅÎâ ´©Å ùï âı Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ ëâ ßï ùÅã ßÅ ùâÒÂ ßÅßÉ, ùÅ- Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin I, upon ´ÅáÅ üÅ© ÉÅÒâ ÒÅÒ´âÒ ÓâÒ âı Óïùï´ Óï ÖÒÅ´ âı ÜïÅ ´Å the initiative of the Committee for the 1700th ûÅ•â ë©Å´´â Òï ßâ ùâ´Å Î·ı ë©ÅßÉ ïÒÅ ùÅ´ÅÛ Ìâ Ûï´ Ìâ- Anniversary of the Adoption of Christianity as ÒÅ ùÅ´ Ö´· £ÅùÅ´ Å≠ ôÅÔÅ´¡ ´âÒ, ·Ò·´Û ≠´·Ò üïÌ ÔÅ- State Religion of Armenia, the Siunik Diocese £Å´áÅ Ì·Ò ¶·ßï ùï ´Å ôÅÖ õÅõ üÒÅ ≠ÅùâÒÔ âùâ £âÛï´ and Armenian-Canadian benefactors Mr. Di- Å©ìß ÌâÒ ç ô·©Å ´·ıß ïÒ ´Å ôÅÎÔâ£õ ÔâÎ¡·Ì ·ı ≠¡â £·ı- cran and Mrs. Diana Hadjetian. Owing to them, ë©ÅßÉ: àùâ £â Û·ı Ìâ ÒÅÉÅ Û·ı ß´ ·ı ˚õ·ı ßè ßâõ üÅ´áâ Î·Ì this magnificent church, built by the talented Ôâ£ï ·ı ´â ÛÅÌ 1999 ë. ÅÂÒï óï 18-ï´` âÒ ÁÅ´ùÅ üï≠Å- architect Momik, is now standing in its initial ÔÅù Äßâ´Å©´ ûÅ ©·Û ùÅë· £ï ù·Î ÑÅ Òâ Öï´ ÄÈÅÁï ´ï splendor. °âÈ ¡·Ì: The reopening and solemn consecration of Ä©á ˚Ò ÌÅ ´ïÛ Å´ Ûâó ç 10 ÔÅÒïÞ the church took place on April 18, 1999, with Ca- î´„ ç ùÅÔÅÒ Ìâó Å©á ÔÅ Òï ´â Òï´: ÄÈÅÁï´ âı Öó ôÅ- tholicos of All Armenians Karekin I presiding. Ì·Ò ÅÒá©·ı´ ¡´ Å©´ ç, ·Ò ™· ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡´ Å©á ìÅßÅ ´Å ùïÛ Ten years have passed since then. ï ÌâÒ ·ı ´ï ü· Öâ ı·Ò ü· ÌïÌ, ÌÅ´ ¡è Ö·Ò õ·ıß ç, Å©ÎÔâ£ ßÅ- What has transpired over these years? Ô·ıÛ Ì·ıß ç Í. ‰ÅÔÅ ÒÅÖ, ùÅÔÅÒ Ì·ıß â´ ßùÒ Ô·ı ë©Å´ ·ı First and foremost, Noravank now has a ÂÎÅ ùï õâ ÎâÒ: pastor; the monastery is open; Divine Liturgy ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡è ß≠ÔÅ ÂâÎ ÖÔ´ Ì·ıß ç Äßâ ´Å©´ ûÅ©·Û is celebrated; baptisms and weddings are held ùÅ ë·£ï ù·Î ÑÅ Òâ Öï´ àÒ ùÒ·Ò áï âı Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ ëâßï ÅÈÅÁ- here. ´·Òá ÄÉÒÅ üÅß âÂïÎù· Â·Î ¶ùÒÔ„©Å ´ï ·ı ≠Åá Ò·ıë©Å´ Noravank is always in the focus of atten- ùâ´Ô Ò· ´·ıß: Ä©ÎÔâ£ ùÅ ÔÅÒÌ·£ ÉÅÒâ ùÅÒÖßÅ´ Å≠ôÅ- tion of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II ÔÅ´¡ ´â Òï´ ïÒâ´Û ßâõ ßÅÎ ´Å ù Û·ıë©·ı ´´ â´ ·ı ´â Ûâó ÓâÒ and the Primate of the Siunik Diocese Bishop âı Óï ùï´ Óï ÖÒÅ´ âı Üï Å´Å ûÅ•â ë©Å´ ´â Òè: Abraham Mgrdtchian. Mr. and Mrs. Hadjetian úÅÔÅÒ ÌÅõ Å≠ôÅ ÔÅ´¡ ´â ÒïÛ üï≠Å ÔÅ ù·ı ë©Å´ ÅÒ- have personally taken part in the renovation ìÅ ´ï â´. work. • è´áÅÒ °Åù âı üÅÒßÅ ÒÅ ÌâÔ ÌÅ ´Å ÔÅ´ ùÅ È·ıÛ·ı ßè, The following improvements deserve men- • ˜·¡Ò ßÅÔ·ıÈ ´â Òï ÔÅ´ï¡ ´â Òï ÌâÒÅ ´· Ò· Ö·ı ßè, tion: • Å£É©·ıÒ ü·ı ≠ÅÒ °Å´ï ùÅ È·ı Û·ı ßè, • The construction of a large new residence • ÌÅ ´Å ùÅ´ ≠Ò ÁÅ ÂÅÒÎ Âï ÅßÉ·£ ÁÅ Û·ı ßè, (vanatun) • ÔÅÒÅõ ¡ï è´áüÅ ´·ıÒ ÉÅ Òâ ùÅÒÖ·ı ßè, • The renovation of small chapel roofs • ÎÅóÅ üÅÔÅù ãÉ·Î ·ı £ï´â Òï ÂÅÔÒ ÅÎ Ô·ı ßè, • The restoration of the main monument • ÌÅ´¡ ÉÅÒ ° ÒÅÛ·£ •Å´Å ÂÅÒ üï óÅ©- • The completion of monastery walls ´ÅÛ·ı ß´ ·ı ÅßÒÅ Û·ı ßè âı Å©ó´: • The general improvement and landscaping of the site úÅÒâ ı·Ò â´ ´Åâı ÌÅ´¡ Å© Ûâó·£ ´â Òï üÅ ßÅÒ ·Ò·- • The preparation of paved alleys ≠Åùï üÅÒßÅ Ò·ı ë©·ı´ ´â Òï ÎÔâ£ õ·ı ßè` ÅÌ Ô· ùÅ©Å ´Å- • The expansion and reinforcement of the road Ôâ£, ´ÎÔÅ ÒÅ´ ´âÒ ·ı ü·ÌÅ ´·Û ´âÒ, ÎÅ´ üÅ´Ö·ı©Û âı Å©ó´: leading to the monastery. ÏÅ´¡´ ÅÂÅü·Ì ÌÅõ ç ôßâ ó·ı ÁÒ·Ì âı çóâùÔ ÒÅ ùÅ´·ı- Great importance was attached to accommo- ë©ÅßÉ: ÏâÒ Áï´ ÔÅ Òï ´â Òï´ ïÒÅ ùÅ ´ÅÛÌâó ç õÅ ÈÅ Ô·ı´ù, dations for visitors to the monastery, such as ≠·ıÒÁ 2000 õÅÈ ç Ô´ù Ìâó, ·Ò·´Û ·È·Ö ßÅ´ üÅßÅÒ ùÅ- parking, benches, shade, public lavatory, etc. È·ıÛ Ìâó ç ÁÒÅßÉÅÒ: Electricity and drinking water are now avail- ÄÈÅ ÁïùÅ ©·ıß ÌÅ´¡è ù·ı ´â´Å ü·ı ≠Å´ ÌâÒ´â Òï âı able. In the past several years, over 2,000 ÖÒ ¡âÒï ôÅ´·ıë, ïÎù ßï´„ Å©á ûÅ•â ë©Å´ Åß·ıÎï´ ´â Òï trees have been planted. Irrigation channels ü· ÌÅ ´Å Ì·Ò·ı ë©ÅßÉ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï ßÅ Îï´ ÔÂÅ ÖÒÌâó â´ have been built. üÅ ©âÒâ´, Å´Ö óâ Òâ´, ˝ÒÅ´Îâ Òâ´ ÖÒ¡·ı©ù´âÒ: ™ÒÅ´¡ ü·Ö There will be a souvenir shop and book- â´ ÔÅÒâó ´Åâı ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡·ıß ÎÂÅÎÅ Ì· Ò·£ ü· Öâ ı· ÒÅ- store in the near future. Booklets about Nora- 56 vank are published in the Armenian, English ĆĲŏļĺļ ŇĶőŎ·ŕŅ / Inside the narthex

ùÅ´ï ßÅ Îï´` ´ÒÅ üÅßÅÒ °âÈ¡ ÉâÒâ ó·Ì õÅ ÈÅ©· £Å ùÅ´ and French languages under the patronage of É´ÅùÅ ÒÅ´ (à£âÖ ´Å°·Ò ¡Å £Å¡·ıß) âı ÅÌÔ· ßâ ¡â´Å: the Hadjetian couple. 2005 ëÌÅùÅ ´ï ÎâÂÔâß Éâ ÒïÛ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï ü·Öâ- They have provided the minister with a ı·Ò ü· ÌïÌ´ ç Ó. ÍÅ üÅù ¡ÅüÅ ´Å ¶ÅÒÔï Ò· Î©Å´è, ·Òè car and an apartment in Yeghegnadzor. 57 Å©Î Ôâ£ ·„ ßïÅ©´ ïÒ âùâ£â ÛÅ ùÅ´ õÅÈÅ ©·ı ë©·ı ´´ ç ùÅ- Father Sahak Martirossian has been the ÔÅÒ·ıß, Å© óâı áÅÒ°âó ç ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï ïÎùÅ ùÅ´ ´Ìï Ò©Å óè: pastor of Noravank since September 2005. Per- ÇÅÌÅ ùÅ´ ç ´≠âó, ·Ò ´Åâı ó·ıÎÅ ´ ùÅÒ „·ıë©ÅßÉ ÔÅÒÌâ ó·Ì, forming religious service is his main duty, but Fa- ´Å ÌÅ´¡ï âùâ £âÛï ´âÒ´ ·ı ôÅ„¡Å Òâ Òè ÔÅÒ ÌÅ ÔÅÒÉâÒ ther Sahak has become a real devotee of Nora- â£Å´Åù ´â Òï´ ·ı ˚ÒÌÅ ÔÅÒÉâÒ ìÅ ßâÒï´ ÂÅÔ ùâ Ò·£ üÅ- vank. He has taken thousands of photographs of ãÅÒÅ Ì·Ò ó·ıÎÅ ´ ùÅÒ ´âÒ ç ÅÒâó ·ı áÒÅ´¡ ë·£ÅÒ ùâó âÒ- the churches and cross-stones of the monastery ù·ı ôÔÅ ÎÅóï ù·Ì: in various seasons and times of the day, which ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡è üÅßÅ üÅ© ùÅ ùÅ´ ´≠Å ´Å ù·ı ë©·ı´ ·ı ´ï, have been put on two compact discs. ÉÅ©Û ÅÈÅ Áï´ üâÒ ëï´ ü· Öâ ı·Ò Ìâ ÒÅãÅÒ ë·´¡ ç ÉâÒ·ıß Noravank has acquired pan-Armenian ≠Ò ÁÅùÅ É´ÅùÅ ÌÅ© Òâ Òï´: Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ ëâßï ÅÈÅÁ ´·Òáï significance. However, its prime mission is the ´ÅôÅ °âÈ´·ı ë©ÅßÉ Å©ìß ÌÅ´¡´ ·ı´ï âÒÖ„Å ô·ıßÉ, ·Òï spiritual renaissance of the neighboring towns. Å´áÅß ´âÒ´ â´ ÄÒâ ´ï âı ÄÒ˜ï Ö©·ı £â Òï áÂ Ò·Û´â Òï 1- On the initiative of the Primate of the Siunik 10-Òá áÅ ÎÅÒÅ´ ´â Òï Å≠Å ùâÒÔ ´â Òè: ®·ıÒÅ ¡Å´„©·ıÒ Diocese, a Sunday school was founded in the áÂÒ· ÛïÛ 40 Å≠Å ùâÒÔ ùïÒÅ ùï ˚Òè ëâßï ÔÒÅ ßÅá ÒÅõ monastery. It is attended by 1st to10th graders ÅÌ Ô· É·ıÎ´â Ò·Ì ÖÅóïÎ â´ ÌÅ´¡, ßÅÎ ´Å ù Û·ıß Í. ‰ÅÔÅ- from the public schools of Areni and Arpi. Ev- ÒÅÖï´, ïÎù áÒÅ´ïÛ üâ Ô· âÒâôÅ ´â Òï üÅ ßÅÒ ·Òâıç ßï Á·- ery Sunday, 40 schoolchildren are transported ÛÅ È·ıß ç ùÅã ßÅ ùâÒ ÂÌ·ıß: to the monastery in buses provided by the Di- Äß˜· ˜âó·Ì ÅÒ°Å ´Å Ö Òâ´¡. ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡´ Å©Î ˚Ò ocese. They attend mass, after which various ÅÂÒ·ıß ç: Ä©´ Å©Î·ı üâ Ôâı ßï Å©´ É´·ıë©Å´ üÒÅ≠Å óï Å´- events are organized for them. ù©·ı´ âı ïÒ •ÅÒ ÔÅÒÅ Ââ ÔÅ ùÅ´ Öâ £âÛù·ı ë©ÅßÉ Å© Ûâ- In conclusion, we would like to acknowl- ó·ı ´â Òï´ ãÅÒßÅÛ ´·£ ü·ı≠ ÅÒ °Å´ „ç, Å© óâı ÌÅ´¡, ·ıôÔÅ- edge that Noravank is flourishing today. From ÌÅ©Ò, üÅ© üÅÌÅ ÔÅ Û©Å óï Å£·ëÅ Ôâ£, ï´ „ï´ ù·„ÌÅõ ç now on, it is not merely a picturesque site or a â£âó ï ÎùãÉÅ ´â: monument fascinating visitors with its architectural beauty, but a true monastery and a place of pilgrimage for faithful Armenians, like it was 58 meant to be from the very outset. ™·ÒÅÌÅ´¡è Noravank, ÌâÒÁï´ üÅ´ÖÒÌÅ´Þ Last Haven

άâÈÅ Ì·Ò Í˜©·ıÈ¡·ıß, 2008 ë. ßÅÒ Ôï 11-ï´ 69 ÔÅ- On March 11, 2008, the benefactor of Òâ ùÅ´·ıß ïÒ ßÅüùÅ ´Å Û·ı´ ù´ ¡âÛ ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï Noravank, Dicran Hadjetian, passed ÉÅ Òâ ÒÅÒ ÓïÖ ÒÅ´ ûÅ •â ë©Å´è: Ä´ÎÂÅ Îâ óï ·ı ≠ÅÔ õÅ- away at the age of 69 in Montreal. It was a pre- ´Ò çÒ Å©Î ù·Ò·ıÎ Ôè É·ó· Òï üÅ ßÅÒ, âı Å´ìÅ ßÅ ´Åù: ÜâÈ mature, unexpected and painful loss for all, as ·Ò¡Å~´ õÒÅÖ ÒâÒ ·ı ´âÒÞ there were so many projects remaining for him ÓïÖ ÒÅ´ ûÅ •â ë©Å´ï ùÅ Âè ûÅ©ÅÎ ÔÅ ´ï üâÔ ÎùÎ- to accomplish. Ìâó çÒ ÌÅ £·ıÛ: ‰ÅÔß·ıß ç ÜïÅ ´Å ûÅ•â ë©Å´è. ÆÓï ÖÒÅ- Dicran Hadjetian had close ties with Arme- ´ï üâÔ ÅÈÅÁï´ Å´ÖÅß ûÅ©ÅÎ ÔÅ´ â´¡ Å© Ûâ óâó 1983 nia, going back several decades. Diana Had- ëÌÅ ùÅ´ï´ âı â£âó â´¡ âÒÁÅ´ ùÅ üï≠Å ÔÅù ÏÅãÖâ´ jetian states: “Dicran and I visited Armenia for ÄÈÅ Áï´ ùÅë· £ï ù·Îï ü©·ıÒè: 1996-ï ü·ı´ÌÅ Òï´, âÒÉ the first time in 1983 to attend the Blessing of ÑÅ Òâ Öï´ ÄÈÅÁï ´è ÖÔ´ Ì·ıß çÒ ¶·´ ÒâÅó·ıß âı âùâ£â Û·ıß the Holy Muron. In 1996, His Holiness Karekin ù·„ ÅÒâÛ, ·Ò Åßâ´ ßï ùÅÒ·£ è´ÔÅ ´ï¡ üÅ´ °´ ÅÈ´ï ûÅ- I made his first Pontifical visit to Canada as ©ÅÎÔÅ ´·ıß ßâù âùâ£â Û·ı ´·Ò·Ö ßÅ´ ü· ÌÅ ´ÅÌ· Ò·ı ë©·ı- Catholicos of the Mother See of Holy Etchmi- ´è, ßâ´¡ ÅÈÅ Áï´è ÅÒ °Å ÖÅ´ ¡âÛï´¡ âı üÅÁ·Òá ˚Òè adzin. In one of his sermons, Karekin called ÏâüÅ ˜ÅÈï ß·Ô Ö´Åó·Ì ÅÎÅÛï´¡, ·Ò ÂÅÔ ÒÅÎÔ â´¡ upon well-to-do families to commit themselves Å©á üÅ´° ´Å È·ı ë©Å´è: îÎù ¶âÎÒ·Â Ä≠•©Å´ ÍÒ ÉÅãÅ- to renovating one church in Armenia as part ´è ßâã ÅÈÅÁÅÒ ùâÛ, ·Ò ü·ÌÅ ´ÅÌ· Òâ´¡ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï Í. of the celebration of the 1700th Anniversary ÄÎ ÔÌÅ õÅõï´ âùâ £âÛ·ı Ìâ ÒÅ´· ÒÅ Ö·ı ßè: Ú·ı©Û ÔÌâÛ ó·ı- of the Adoption of Christianity in Armenia. We ÎÅ´ ùÅÒ´âÒ, ÖõÅ ÖÒâÒ, ïÎù ™· ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡è ßâ´¡ áâÈ „çï´¡ were the first to respond; the same day, after Ôâ Îâó: 1996-ï´ âÈÅ´ á·Ì ÎùÎÌâ Ûï´ Å≠ôÅ ÔÅ´¡ ´â Òè ïÎù Holy Mass, we advised His Holiness that we 1999-ï ÖÅÒ ´Å´è âùÅ´¡ âı ßâÒ Å„¡â Ò·Ì Ôâ ÎÅ´¡ Å©á were ready to make such a commitment. üÒÅ ≠ÅÖâ£ ÌÅ´¡è: ÜÒÅ´ïÛ üâ Ô· ÓïÖ ÒÅ ´ï üâÔ ß≠ÔÅ- Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian suggested that ÂâÎ ùÅÂÌÅõ â´¡ â£âó ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï üâÔ, ÖÒâëâ Åßâ´ we sponsor the renovation of the St. Astvatsat- ÔÅ Ò ï âùâó â´¡: ÄÂÒ·ıß çï´¡ úÅ´Å áÅ ©·ıß, ÉÅ©Û ü·Ö·Ì sin Church in Noravank. He showed us photos ÎÒ Ô·Ì Å©Î Ôâ£ çï´¡` ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡·ıßØ: and the plan of the church. But we hadn’t seen ‰Å ÔÅ ´ï üÅ ÎÅù·ıß ÜâÒ ä· Òï áì·ô ¡è Ôâ ÎÅõ ÔïÖ- Noravank yet. The active process of renovation ÒÅ´Å ùâÒÔ Ûï ü·Ò ãÅÌÅ ù´ çÒ ÓïÖ ÒÅ´ ûÅ •â ë©Å´è, ·Òè began in 1996, and we came to see this splen- õ´ Ìâó ç àÖïÂÔ· Î·ıß, Å©´·ı üâ Ôâı è´ÔÅ ´©·¡ Ôâ £Å˜·ô Ìâó did monastery in the spring of 1999. After that, úÅ ´ÅáÅ âı üÅÁ·£ Ö·ÒõÅ ÒÅ Ò·ıë©ÅßÉ ãÉÅ£ Ìâó, ßï Å- we grew attached to Noravank and went there ìÅ ßÅ ´Åù âÒÉâ¡ „üÒÅ ìÅÒ Ìâó·Ì Åã ÖÅ©ï´ ÉÅÒâ Îï ÒÅ- every year. We lived in Canada but our hearts ùÅ´ Ö·Òõ·ı ´â·ı ë©·ı ´ïÛ: àÒÁÅ´ ùÅ üï≠Å ÔÅù ¶âÎ Ò·Â were in Noravank.’’ ÅÒ¡â ÂïÎ ù· Â·Î Ä≠•©Å ´è Óï Ö ÒÅ´ ûÅ •â ë©Å´ï´ âı ´ÒÅ Dicran Hadjetian was the son of a Ti- Ôïù ´·Á Üï Å´Å ©ï´ Å´ ÌÅ ´âó ç ÆÔïÂÅÒ ÉÅÒâ ÒÅÒ ´âÒØ, granakert native having survived the horrors ·Ò·´¡ ÆïÒâ´Û ≠·ıÒ Áè ùè ÔÅ ÒÅõâ´ ÎçÒ, ÉÅÒâ ùÅ ß·ıëïı´ of Der Zor. Born in Egypt, he moved together âı ßÅÒ á·ı´ üÅ´ áçÂ üÅ ıÅÔ¡ âı ©ÅÒ ÖÅ´¡Ø: Ä´ ü´ÅÒ ç ßâù with his family to Canada, where he started a ÅÈ ßâù ëÌÅÒ ùâó Å©Î è´ ÔÅ ´ï ¡ï` ß·´ ÒâÅ óÅ üÅ ©·ı ë©Å´ successful career, at the same time remain- üÅ ßÅÒ ÅÒÅõ ÉÅÒâ Ö·Òõ·ı ë©·ı´ ´â Òè, ÎÅùÅ©´ ´≠â óï ç, ·Ò ing faithful to national charitable work. The áÒÅ´¡ ·ı££ Ìâó â´ â'ı ¶â õï ÓÅ ´´ úï óïùï· Í. ûÅ ù·É âùâ- late archbishop called Dicran Hadjetian and £âÛ·ı´ â'ı ¶Å©Ò Äë·È Í. åÁßï Åõ´ï Í. ÑÒï Ö·Ò ñ·ıÎÅ Ì·- his wife Diana model benefactors who spread Òï„ âùâ£â Û·ı´, ·Òï üÅ ßÅÒ ÉÅ Òâ Ö·Òõ´âÒ´ ÅÒ ìÅ ´ÅÛâó love, friendship and respect for mankind. â´ ùÅ ë·£ï ù·Î ´â Òï Ö´Å üÅÔÅ´ ¡ï´: Though it is impossible to list all their char- ÍÅùÅ©´ Å©Î è´ÔÅ ´ï ¡ï üÅ ßÅÒ •ÅùÅ ÔÅ ÖÒÅ ùÅ´ itable deeds involving the Armenians of Mon- â£ÅÌ ûÅ ©·Û áÅÒ °ï 1700-Åß©Å ùï Ô·´Å ùÅ ÔÅÒ·ı ßè, ·Òï treal, we may proudly mention their charitable ≠Ò ÁÅ ´Å ù·ıß ´ÒÅ´¡ üÅ´ °´ ÅÈÅ´ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï Í. ÄÎÔ- contributions to the Surp Hagop Church of the ÌÅ õÅõï´ âùâ£â Û·ı ÌâÒÅ ùÅ´ Ö´ßÅ´, ïÎù Å© ´·ıüâ Ôâı Great House of Cilicia as well as the St. Grego- ÌÅ´ ¡ï è´áüÅ ´·ıÒ ÉÅ Òâ ùÅÒÖßÅ´ ü· ÌÅ ´Å Ì·Ò·ı ë©·ı ´è: ry the Illuminator Church of the Mother See of ÓïÖ ÒÅ ´´ ·ı ÜïÅ ´Å´ ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡·ıß ÖÔÅ´ ïÒâ´Û üÅ- Holy Etchmiadzin. For their support, they were ©ÅÎÔÅ ´©Å´ Ô·ı´è, ·Òï üÅ ßÅÒ ïÒâ´Û ùÅ Òâ óï´ ÅÒâ Ûï´: greatly appreciated by both catholicoi. 59 However, the 1700th-anniversary celebration of Christianity in Armenia became fateful for their family. In connection with the celebration, they pledged their support for the reconstruction and subsequent general renovation and improvement of the monastery. Dicran and Diana did their best and found their Arme- nian home in Noravank. According to his wish, Noravank became Dicran Hadjetian’s final rest- ing place. On June 8, 2008, Dicran Hadjetian was buried with due church ceremony, attended by mourners. Bishop Abraham Mgrdtchian made a speech at the funeral, as follows: "And God called him…!" "Dear Hadjetian family, Diana, children, friends and brothers, ten years ago, the late Ca- tholicos Karekin I, Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian and I were thinking about how we could restore and renovate the ruins of splendid Noravank, so that it would be ready in time for the 1700th- anniversary celebration. There were numerous projects but Noravank was the prime objective. However, we did not have the means to re- build the monument. Then Archbishop Ashjian ÓïÖ ÒÅ´ ûÅ•â ë©Å´ï ÛÅ´ù·ı ë©Å´ üÅßÅ °Å©´ ™ÒÅ- told us that he knew a man who would under- ÌÅ´ ¡è áÅÒ°ÅÌ ´ÒÅ ÌâÒ Áï´ üÅ´ ÖÒÌÅ ´è: 2008-ï ü·ı´ï- take the work. When I asked whether I knew Îï 8-ï´ ô·ıÈ ´â ÒÅß ÎÖÅùïÒ ì· £· ÌÒ áï ´âÒ ùÅ©·ı ë©ÅßÉ, him, the archbishop told me that the man had âùâ£â ÛÅ ùÅ´ üÅ Ô·ıù ÅÒÅÒ· £·ı ë©ÅßÉ ÓïÖ ÒÅ´ ûÅ •â- not been in Noravank, but Noravank would be- ë©Å´ï Å•©·ı´è üÅ´ °´ ÌâÛ üÅ©Òâ ´ï ü· £ï´: û·ı£ÅÒ ùÅ Ì·- come a new homeland for him. Ò·ıë©Å´ ìÅßÅ ´Åù ô·Î¡ ÅÎÅÛ Í©·ı ´©ÅÛ ëâßï ÅÈÅÁ- When Archbishop Ashjian went back, he ´·Òá Ó. ÄÉÒÅ üÅß âÂïÎù· Â·Î ¶ùÒÔ „©Å´è, ·Òè ´âÒ ùÅ- took the plan of Noravank with him. He told ©ÅÛ´·ıß â´¡ ÎÔ· Òâı: us about the meeting with Dicran Hadjetian in distant Canada and brought back the good tid- Æàı ù· „âÅÛ ÄÎÔ·ıÅõ ã´ÅÞØ ings. His Eminence told me I had no need to ÍïÒâ óï ÖâÒáÅÎ ÔÅ´ ûÅ•â ë©Å´ ÜïÅ ´Å âı ãÅÌÅù- worry; Noravank would be renovated. Exten- ´âÒ âı ÉÅÒâ ùÅß´âÒ, ü· Öâ ı·Ò â£ÉÅ©Ò ´âÒ: ÓÅ Îè ÔÅÒï ´âÒ sive renovations began under the auspices of ÅÈÅÁ çÒ, âÒÉ âÒÁÅ´ ùÅ üï≠Å ÔÅù ÑÅ Òâ Öï´ ÄÈÅ Áï´ âı the State Committee of Monument Preserva- ¶âÎÒ ·Â ÍÒ ÉÅãÅ´ Ä≠•©Å´ âı âÎ ùô·Ò üâï´¡, ëâ ï´„ ÂâÎ tion, the church and the diocese. Dicran Had- Âï Ôï ùÅÒ· £Å ´Å´¡ ÅÌâÒÅù ´â Òï Ìâ ÒÅõ ÌÅõ Å©Î ü·©Å- jetian was financing the work from Canada. ùâÒÔ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡è Ìâ ÒÅ ≠ï ´âó âı ÌâÒÅ ùÅ´ Ö´âó, ·Ò ÂâÎ- When he came to Noravank for the first time, ãï ÂÅÔÒÅÎÔ óï´âÒ 1700-Åß©Åùï Ô· ´Å ùÅ ÔÅÒ·ı ë©Å´: we all marveled at his elation. He was happy úÅ ©ï´ ÉÅãßÅ ëïÌ õÒÅÖ ÒâÒ âı Å©á õÒÅ Ö Òâ ÒïÛ ßâã üÅ- to be the benefactor of Noravank. Whenever ßÅÒ ÅÈÅÁ ´Å©ï´ çÒ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡è: ÇÅ©Û „ùÅ ©ï´ Å©´ ßï- he came to Noravank, he would express his Á·Û´â Òè, ·Ò·´Û·Ì ü´Å ÒÅ Ì·Ò óï ´âÒ Ìâ ÒÅ ùÅ´ Ö´âó Å©á joy to all the guests, Armenians and foreigners ù· ë·£è: àı ßï Å´ÖÅß ¶âÎÒ·Â ÍÒÉÅ ãÅ ´´ ÅÎÅÛ, ·Ò ï´- alike, telling them that he was the benefactor ¡è ÖïÔï Å©´ ßÅÒá·ı´, ·Òè ÂïÔï ÎÔÅ´° ´ï Å©á Ö·Ò õè âı of Noravank. It gave him great happiness and âÎ üÅÒÛ Òâ Ûï ëâ ·Ì ç, ÅÒ á©·¡ üÅ´áï Ââó â´¡: ÄÎÅÛ, ·Ò joy, a feeling which never abandoned him, not áâÈ ûÅ©ÅÎ ÔÅ´ çó „ï â£âó, ÉÅ©Û ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡è áÅÈ´Å ó·ı ç even in distant Canada. ´ÒÅ üÅ ßÅÒ ´·Ò üÅ© Òâ´ï¡: àÒÉ Ìâ ÒÅáÅ Ò °ÅÌ •Åß ˜·Ò- I have not been there personally, but I have á·ıë©·ı ´ïÛ, ÔÅÒâó çÒ ïÒ üâÔ ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï ´Å ôÅ Öõâ Òè, learned about the many souvenirs of Noravank âı ÂÅÔßâÛ, ëâ ï´„ÂâÎ â£ÅÌ üÅ´ áï Â·ıßè üâÈÅ Ì·Ò - photos, books and magazines - that he had at úÅ ´ÅáÅ ©·ıß Óï ÖÒÅ´ ûÅ•â ë©Å´ï üâÔ, âı ·ıÒÅô ó·ı Òè his home and used to show and talk about to 60 ÅÌâÔâÛ: àı ÏâüÅ ˜ÅÈ´ ÅÎÅÛ, ·Ò Å©ìß ßÔÅü·Ö Ìâ ó·ı everybody. ùÅ Òï¡ „·ı ´âÎ, ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡è Ìâ ÒÅ ùÅ´ Ö´ ÌâÛ: àı ïÒÅ ÂâÎ ÎùÎÌâÛ ≠ï´Å ÒÅ Ò·ıë©·ı ´è, ÎùÎÌâÛ ßâõ ëÅ˜·Ì, ÎùÎ ÌâÛ ÂâÔ·ı ë©Å´ ü·ı ≠ÅÒ °Å´´â Òï ù·ßï Ôâï, âùâ £âÛ·ı âı ëâßï ÅÁÅù Û·ıë©ÅßÉ, âı ÓïÖ ÒÅ´ ûÅ •â ë©Å´è üâÈ ÌïÛ üâ È·ı Îù ÎâÛ ˝ï´Å´ ÎÅÌ· Ò·ı ßè: ‡ı âÒÉ âùÅÌ ÅÈÅ Áï´ Å´ÖÅß ™· ÒÅÌÅ´¡, ïÒÅ ÂâÎ ãÅÒßÅ ´Åóï çÒ Å©á ßÅÒá·ı ·ıÒÅ- ô·ı ë©·ı ´è, ·Ò ï´ ¡è ÉÅÒâ ÒÅÒ´ ç ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï: àı ßï´„âı ÌâÒÁ, âÒÉ ·Ò ™· ÒÅÌÅ´¡ çÒ ÖÅ óïÎ, ïÒ ·ıÒÅ ô·ı ë©·ı ´è ˜·Ò°·ıß çÒ ÅÒÔÅ üÅ© Ôâó É·ó·Ò ü©·ıÒâ Òï´` ˚ÔÅÒ ëâ üÅ©, ÅÎâ ó·Ì ·Ò ™· ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï ÉÅ Òâ ÒÅÒ´ ç ï´¡è âı Å©Î âÒÁÅ´- ù·ı ë©·ı ´è, ·Ò Å©Î ßÅÒá·ı´ ÂÅü· ıß çÒ, ÂÅü·ıß çÒ ´Åâı Å©´ Ôâ£ üâ ÈÅ Ì·Ò úÅ´Å áÅ ©·ıß: àÎ Å´ °ÅßÉ „âß â£âó, ÉÅ©Û óÎâó âß ëâ ·Ò¡Å´ ≠ÅÔ â´ ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï üï ≠ÅÔÅù- ´â Òè ´ÒÅ ÔÅ´è` ´ùÅÒ´âÒ, ÖÒ¡·ı©ù ´âÒ, Åß ÎÅ ÖÒâÒ, ·Ò·´¡ Û·ı©Û çÒ ÔÅóïÎ âı ÂÅÔß·ıß çÒ É·ó· Òï´ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï ßÅ- Îï´: ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡è ïÒÅ ÂâÎ ·ı ´â ÛÅÌ ïÒ ÅÒ ìÅ ´Å Ì·Ò ÉÅ- Òâ ÒÅ Òï´ 700 ÔÅÒï ´âÒ üâÔ· âı Å© Î˚Ò ™· Òï´ ÍÒÉ·ı ë©·ı´ ÑÅ Òâ Öï´ àÒù Ò·Òá ÏâüÅ ˜ÅÈ ûÅ© ÒÅÂâ Ôï ùÅÒÖÅ á Ò·ı- ë©ÅßÉ ÅüÅÌÅ Îïù Å©ÎÔâ£ ç âùâ£â Û·ı ü· Öâ ı·Ò áÅÎè ïÒ É· ó·Ò ÉÅÒ° ÒÅÎ Ôï •Å´ ü· Öâ ı· ÒÅ ùÅ´ ´â Ò·Ì, ÏâüÅ ˜ÅÈè •Åß˜·Ò á·ı ë©Å´ ßâÁ ÖÔ ´ Ìâ ó·Ì „ùÅ Ò·£Å ÛÅÌ ´âÒùÅ óï- Noravank found a deserving benefactor ´âó, ÉÅ©Û Ôâ £ï ·ı ´â ÛÅÌ ‰ÅÔÅ ÒÅ Öè âı ùÅÒ Öè ëÅ£ ßÅ´ after 700 years. And today, by order of His Holi- ßâÒ ´Åô ´©ÅÛ ùÅÒ Ö·Ì, ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡ï Å©Î Î·ıÒÉ ü· £·ıß: ness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholi- àı ßâÒ Å£·ë¡´ ç, ·Ò ÄÎÔ ÌÅõ ïÒ ÅÒáÅÒ ´â Òï ≠ÅÒ ¡·ıß cos of All Armenians, who is away on a trip áÅÎï ™· ÒÅÌÅ´ ¡ï ÉÅÒâ ÒÅ Òï´: ¶âÒ Å£·ë¡´ ç, ·Ò ÄÎ Ô- now and thus couldn’t be present with us, the ÌÅõ üÅßÉâ Ò·ıë©·ı´ ÔÅ ûÅ •â ë©Å´ ÖâÒáÅÎ ÔÅ ´ï´, ü·Ö·ı whole clergy have gathered here to render li- ôÅ£Å £·ıë©·ı´, âı ßâÒ Å£·ë ¡´ ç ·Ò ÂâÎãï ûÅ •â ë©Å´ï turgical service and the funeral in our ancestral Ìâ ÒÅ ùÅ´ Ö´Åõ ™·ÒÅ ÌÅ´ ¡è áÅ ÒâÒ ≠ÅÒ·ı ´Åù õÅ ÈÅ©ï custom at the holy site of Noravank. üÅ© ì·£· ÌÒ áï´: And we pray that God accept the benefac- àı ë·£ ·Ò ´ßÅ´ ÉÅ Òâ ÒÅÒ´â Òï üï ≠ÅÔÅ ùè ˚Òü ´·ı- tor of Noravank among His righteous. We pray ë©ÅßÉ â£ï Ûï, Äßâ´: that God grant patience and tranquility to the Hadjetian family, and that Noravank remain open for the Armenian people for centuries. May the memory of such benefactors be blessed. Amen." 61 62 63 ą·ŏĲŇĵĲŀ·ŕĺņ·ŕŇ 4 ...... Ġņ·ŕŇņĲŔ Ąĺ·ōĹ Ķŕ ę·őĲŏĲŇŗĹ ĨőĳĶĽņĲŇŇĶőļ Řő·ŗ 13 ...... Ġ ŐĶŖĲŇ·Ŏ ĨőĳĶĽņĲŇĹ ę·őĲŏĲŇŗļ ŅĲŎļŇ 18 ...... ĠļőĲŇĶŎ ŏĲőĵŋĶŐ 22 ...... ĖĲőŐĲőĲŋĶŐ ė·Ņļŀ 34 ...... ę·őĲŏĲŇŗļ ńĲőŐĲőĲŋĶŐ·ŕĺņ·ŕŇĹ 38 ...... ćĲőĶőļ Ŗ·őł·ŕĺņ·ŕŇŇĶőļ ŅļŌ·ŏ 40 ...... ćĶŋļ ŏĶőĲĿŇ·ŕŇĵ 46 ...... ę·őĲŏĲŇŗļ ŏĶőĲĳĲŔ·ŕŅĹ 52 ...... 10 ŐĲőļ ĲōĲŌ 56 ...... 10 ŐĲőļ ĲŇŔ 59 ...... ę·őĲŏĲŇŗĹ ŏĶőŌļŇ ŁĲŇĴőŏĲŇ…

Contents 4 ...... The See of Siunik and Noravank During the Reign of the Orbelians 13 ...... Stepanos Orbelian on Noravank 18 ...... Architect Siranes 22 ...... Architect Momik 34 ...... Architecture of Noravank 38 ...... Through the Ravages of Centuries 40 ...... Toward Rebirth 46 ...... Reopening of Noravank 52 ...... Ten Years Ago 56 ...... Ten Years Later 59 ...... Noravank, Last Haven

ĔĶ ŕĲ ŏ· ő·ŃĮ ġĲőĵĲŇ ćĲĽĽĲ ŗņĲŇ ď·ŕŎĲ Ň ŀĲő ŇĶ őĹĮ ēőĲņő ĐĲ ŊĶ őņĲ Ňļ (ąĲ ķĶ), ĢĶő ĠĲŁĲŀ ŗĲŁĲŇĲ ėĲőŐļő·ŎņĲŇļ ‡ńĲĳĲŇĮ Ą ŇĻ Ķ Ľ Ą Ņ ļ őľ ĲŇ ņ Ĳ Ň Ą ŇĴ Ľ Ķő ĶŇ ļ ĺ Ĳ ő ĴŅ ĲŇ ļ ŊĮ Ąő Ņļ ŇĶ ąĲŊĲŊņĲŇ Ą ŇĴ Ľ Ķő ĶŇ ļ ľ Ņĳ ĲĴ ļ őĮ ĄőļŎ ĠĶŕĲŀ, ĄŇĲŁļŐ ē·ŏŁĲŇŇļŎņĲŇ ĚĲőŏĲĿ ŗĹĮ ďļĲ ĝĶŐő·ŎņĲŇ

Computer design: Vardan Dallakyan Photographer: Hrair (Hawk) Khatcherian, Father Sahak Martirosyan Proofreader: Angel Amirkhanian English Translator: Armine Bachachyan Editor of English translation: Aris Sevag, Anahit Hovhannisyan Print layout: Lia Petrosyan