Odzun Church

Name: Odzun Church
Monument type: Church Monastic Complex
Region: Lori Province
Periods: Medieval

Name: Odzun Church

Other nomination: Odzun Domed Basilica

Monument type: Church

Region: Lori Province

Community: Alaverdi

Residence: Odzun village

Location: Central part of Odzun village

Preservation: The church is completely preserved. Here reconstruction works have been carried out all the time.

Coordinates: 410 03’02. N44o36’59”E

Altitude: 1100 m

Era and chronology: The church dates back to the Early Middle Ages, the VI century. Although in the following centuries, some renovations and constructions were carried out, the architectural image of the church remained intact.

Odzun: Heavenly Harmony in Stone

As you step into Odzun Church, you’ll feel as though you’re entering a portal to the Early Middle Ages, specifically the 6th century. While this architectural gem remains well-preserved in all its timeless glory, you can still sense the echoes of the past that surround it, casting a mystical aura.

Prepare to be inspired by this architectural beauty, renowned for its distinctive composition that has left an indelible mark on Armenian church architecture. You will find yourself transported to an era of majesty and mystery, where time itself seems to stand still.

Radiating in all its glory in the heart of Armenia’s Lori region, Odzun Church stands as a silent sentinel of history—a testament to the enduring spirit of early Christianity. This 6th-century monument leaves an indelible impression on its visitors, thanks to its remarkably well-preserved state.

Odzun Church owes its pristine condition to the dedicated restoration efforts that have been a constant companion, ensuring that it remains a beacon of both architectural and spiritual heritage․

The Church occupies a unique place in the annals of architectural history. It bridges the gap between basilica dome churches and three-nave basilica monuments, serving as a crucial link in the evolution of Christian places of worship. Its architectural design, which has remained virtually unchanged since its inception, reflects the early Christian artistry of the VI and VII centuries.

It is a masterpiece of architectural ingenuity. Its domed basilica design, with a rectangular plan stretching from east to west, is a marvel to behold. The church boasts a unique feature—the external arched hall, which has remained remarkably well-preserved. This hall has not only added to the church’s volume but has also provided a canvas for an array of captivating iconography and ornamentation. Bas-reliefs of humans, grapevines adorning the entrance facade, sculptures of the Mother of God and angels, and numerous crosses and inscriptions adorn the walls, offering a glimpse into the artistry of the times.

The Odzun complex extends beyond the church itself. It encompasses an early medieval memorial monument and a cemetery adorned with intricately inscribed cross stones and tombstones.

Adjacent to the church stands the early medieval memorial monument, a symbol of Christianity’s triumph in Armenia. It is believed to represent not only the acceptance of Christianity in Armenia but also in neighboring Georgia and Aghvank. The monument’s construction, which dates back to the VI century, is characterized by exquisite sculptural work depicting key moments in Armenian history and biblical narratives.

During the renovation work in 2013, the site revealed its hidden treasures. Fragments of the church’s roof tiles and a wealth of complete and fragmentary pottery were unearthed. These artifacts now find their home within the hallowed walls of the church, connecting the present to a past that continues to intrigue and inspire.

The church’s history is steeped in legend and lore. Tradition attributes its creation to Armenian King Smbat I Bagratuni, who found refuge here during tumultuous times. According to legend, the king’s final resting place lies beneath the hallowed grounds of the church, a poignant reminder of the trials and tribulations of a bygone era.

FACTS

❈ Odzun Church, located in Armenia’s Lori region, is a remarkably well-preserved 6th-century monument that stands as a testament to early Christianity.

❈ Thanks to dedicated restoration efforts, the church remains a beacon of both architectural and spiritual heritage.

❈ It represents an important link in the evolution of Christian places of worship, bridging the gap between basilica dome churches and three-nave basilica monuments.

❈ The church’s domed basilica design with a rectangular plan, along with its external arched hall, is adorned with captivating iconography and ornamentation, including bas-reliefs, sculptures, and inscriptions.

❈ The Odzun complex includes an early medieval memorial monument and a cemetery with intricately inscribed cross stones and tombstones.

❈ Tradition attributes the church’s creation to King Smbat I Bagratuni, who is believed to be buried beneath the church, adding to its historical and legendary significance.

❈ Renovation work in 2013 unearthed hidden treasures, including fragments of the church’s roof tiles and a wealth of pottery, connecting the present to a rich past.

🔍 Research history

Historian Kirakos Gandzaketsi refers to the church, attributing the construction of the basilica to Catholicos Hovhan Odznets (717-728). However, the researchers came to the conclusion that the temple was built earlier. Architect T. Toramanian ranked the church of Odzun among the temples of Kasagh, Tekor and Yereruyk and considered it a 5th century monument based on a number of features. Derived from a comprehensive study of the monument, architect G. Shakkhyan attributes the church construction to the VI century.

At the end of the XIX century, Zakaria and Baghdasar Abovyan brothers from Tiflis repaired the church and the surrounding wall with their funds; the testifying inscription is on the slab attached to the western side of the north-eastern dome-bearing facade of the church, and as well as on the tombstone of their mother Yeghisabet.

Church repair and area improvement works were also conducted in 1938, 1949-1959, and 1977. The church dome was repaired in 2013.

🧱 Archaeological description

The Odzun complex includes the church, the early medieval memorial monument, the cemetery with many inscribed cross stones and tombstones.

Architecture
The Odzun church is a domed basilica with a rectangular plan (20.7×31.6m) stretched from east to west, with two-story vaults adjacent to the semicircular altar, and an external arched hall. The prayer hall is rectangular divided into three naves by two rows of gables. The outer hall borders the prayer hall on three sides (north, south and west).

The church is one of the unique structures of the Early Middle Ages with the outer hall relatively completely preserved, due to which the total volume of the church has increased. The prayer hall and the outer arched hall are synchronous structures. The basilica is built of hewn stones of basalt and light brown felsite. It stands out with the variety of iconography and ornamentation typical of VI-VII century‘s early Christian art, applied with an exceptional sense of scale. Particularly noteworthy are the human bas-reliefs of the central windows, the bunches of grapes on the western entrance facade, the sculptures of the Mother of God and angels, crosses, etc.

There are many Armenian inscriptions on the outer and inner walls of the church. The memorial monument is located about 10m north-east of the domed basilica church. It is a monument indicating the victory of Christianity in Armenia.

There is an opinion that the monument of Odzun symbolizes the acceptance of Christianity not only in Armenia, but also in Georgia and Aghvank. The exact time of construction is unknown. According to constructive art and pictorial style, it was built no later than in the VI century.

The structure is contemporary with the domed basilica church. It is built with hewn stones of light brown felsite. Three pediments rise on a stepped, 2.4 m high plinth with 4-meter columns (stele) of single stone placed in the arched openings.

The sculptured cornice is above the arches. Evidenced by the protrusions preserved on the platform of the upper cornice, the monument was probably crowned with a winged cross. The quadrant sessions are completely sculpted. The thematic sculptures represent scenes of the Armenian King Tiridates III, Gregory the Illuminator, the Hripsimian virgins, the same Tirdates king persecuting Gregory the Illuminator – becoming a pig and regaining human form after accepting Christianity, as well as some episodes from the Old and New Testaments – the scene of the Isaac‘s sacrifice, “The three children in the fiery furnace “, Our Lady holding the baby Jesus sitting on the throne, Virgin Mary receiving an annunciation at the spring deriving from the rock, etc.

The sculptures are placed in the eastern and western sessions of the monument in rectangular frames. The northern and southern sessions are decorated with vegetal and geometric sculptures.

🔨 Findings

Many fragments of the church roof tiles, complete and fragmentary examples of pottery were found during the 2013 monument renovation works, now displayed in the Odzun church.

🌍 Significance

The Odzun church is an important link between basilica dome churches and three-nave basilica monuments.

📜 Traditional legends

The memorial monument of Odzun is traditionally attributed to the Armenian king Smbat I Bagratuni, who died in Dvin in 914. According to the legend, the body of King Smbat is buried under the monument; the latter avoiding the persecutions of the Arabs, sometimes took refuge in Odzun.

📚 Sources

Literature

Kirakos Gandzaketsi 1961, History of Armenians, work. K. Melik-Ohanjanyan, Yerevan, USSR Academy of Sciences, 427 pages.
Divan of the Armenian lithography 2012, Lori region, study IX, compiled by S. Barkhudaryan, K. Ghafadaryan, S. Saghumyan, Yerevan, “Science”, 612 pages.
Toramanian T. 1942, Materials of the History of Armenian Architecture, Yerevan, Armfan Publishing House, 403 pages.
Hakobyan Z. 2005, on the issue of interpreting the images of the Odzun monument, “Echmiadzin”, A (January), pp. 75-87.
Mnatsakanyan S.1982, Armenian Early Medieval Memorial Monuments, Yerevan, ASSR Academy of Sciences ed., 196 pages.
Shakhkyan C. 1983, Odzun church, Yerevan, “Soviet writer”, 83 pages.

List of monuments
Lori 5.112.5

📷 Gallery

Plan of the basilica church (Shakhkyan 1983, 49).
The western front of the memorial (Mnatsakanyan 1982,121).
Odzun church from the north-west (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
Odzun church from the south-west (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
The interior of the church (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
The sculptures of the eastern facade of the church (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
The sculptures of the northern facade of the church (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
The sculpture of angels on the southern facade of the church (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
One of the sculptures inside the church (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
The western front of the memorial (photo by D. Miridjanyan).
Church roof tiles (photo by D. Mirijanyan).