Odzun Church

Odzun Church (Armenian: Օձունի եկեղեցի) is an Armenian basilica constructed around the 5th-7th century in the Odzun village of the Lori Province of Armenia.

Odzun Church
Southern side of the Odzun Church
Basic information
Location	Odzun, Lori Province, Armenia
Geographic coordinates	41.050850°N 44.616416°ECoordinates: 41.050850°N 44.616416°E
Affiliation	Armenian Apostolic Church
Architectural description
Architectural type	Three-nave basilica with dome
Architectural style	Armenian
Completed	c. 5th-7th century

History

The first church appeared here in the 6th century. In the 8th century it was reconstructed by Hovhannes III Odznetsi (Հովհաննես Գ Օձնեցի) who served as the katholikos between 717 and 728 and was, as his name suggests, from Odzun. This is the time the church got its current form of a pink felsite basilica with three naves, the two side naves being narrow. At the northern (not preserved anymore) and southern side there are unusual arcaded cloisters and the west cloister has a blind wall with an arched entrance in the middle. The roof is barrel vaulted. Four columns support the rib vaulted tambour and there are two more columns at the western part of the church. At the eastern façade above the central window one can observe a carving of Christ with the gospel of St. John and two angels below. At the southern façade, at each side of the central window there are two angels and traces of another figure, probably Christ. Much later, in the 19th century two small bell towers were added. The church was renovated between 2012^[1] and 2014.^[2]

There are numerous gravestones of the clergy around the church and a funerary monument. Its stepped platform supports two carved stelae between double arches. The east and west sides of the monument are carved with scenes from the Bible and introduction of Christianity in Armenia. Its north and south side are carved with geometrical motifs and floral shapes. It is suggested that this monument commemorates Hovhannes Odznetsi, but its style suggests that it was probably erected earlier, in the 6th century.

This is one of only two such funerary monuments in Armenia. The one located in Odzun was given as a gift to Armenia from an Indian King around the 8th century. The other one is situated in Aghudi in southern Armenian province of Syunik.

Gallery

Map of Odzun and surrounding region.

North and west sides of the church.

Funerary monument.

Portal to the church.

The church in the early 20th century : 1918

 

Other source : http://findarmenia.org/eng/sights/odzun

Just south of the built up area of Alaverdi (Lori district), the main forks leads to Odzun, with its famous church about 100m west on the main paved village road.

The church is dated stylistically to the end of the 6th c. Beside the church is an unusual 5th-6thcc. funerary monument with two sculpted pillars depicting biblical scenes and the Christianization of Armenia. Standing on a tiered base and constructed in polished stone in the form of two arcades, this monument has a delicate harmony of symmetry. In the opening of each arcade is a rectangular stele, four meters high. On its four faces are finely carved bas-reliefs of scenes depicting the propagation of Christianity. These sculptures are remarkable specimens of the older Armenian religious art.

On the South-East edge of village is a ruined 5thc «Tziranavor-Tzaghkavank» basilica.