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.

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

See also

• Cathedral of Mren, a similar and contemporaneous three-nave basilica with dome in historical Armenia (in Turkey)

References

External links

• Armeniapedia.org
• The Saviours
• Armenian Studies Program
• Armenian Architecture
• Virtual Armenia
• 3D Model of The Memorial

Wikimedia Commons has media related to odzun.

Historic Armenian monasteries and churches
Armenia	Aghjots Vank Akhtala Arakelots of Kirants Areni Artavazik Aruchavank Arshakid Mausoleum Bgheno-Noravank Byurakan Ddmashen Dvin Etchmiadzin Garnahovit Gayane Geghard Gharghavank Gladzor Gndevank Goshavank Haghartsin Haghpat Harichavank Havuts Tar Hayravank Hnevank Horomayri Hovhannavank Hripsime Jukhtak Vank Karbi Karmravor Kasagh Katoghike Katoghike Tsiranavor of Avan Kecharis Khor Virap Kirants Kobayr Kotavank Kristapori Vank Lmbatavank Makaravank Makenyats Vank Makravank Marmashen Mashtots Hayrapet Mastara Matosavank Neghutsi Vank Nor Varagavank Noratus Noravank Odzun Oshakan Pemzashen Ptghavank Saghmosavank Saint Paul and Peter Saint Gevork of Mughni Samsoni Sanahin Sevanavank Shoghakat Spitakavor of Ashtarak Spitakavor of Vayots Dzor Surp Astvatsatsin of Vagharshapat Surp Hakob of Kanaker Surp Mariane of Ashtarak Surp Sarkis of Ashtarak Talin Tanahat Targmanchats Vank Tatev Tatevi Anapat Tegher Tsakhats Kar Tsiranavor of Ashtarak Tsovinar Ushi Vahanavank Vahramashen Vanevan Vorotnavank Voskepar Voskevaz Yeghipatrush Yeghvard Yererouk Zoravor Zvartnots
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