# Odzun

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Place in Lori, Armenia

Odzun Օձուն Odzun Coordinates: 41°03′14″N 44°36′41″E / 41.05389°N 44.61139°E / 41.05389; 44.61139 Country Armenia Province Lori Area • Total 5.32 km2 (2.05 sq mi) Elevation 1,100 m (3,600 ft) Population (2011)[2] • Total 4,048[1] Time zone UTC+4 (AMT)

**Odzun** ([Armenian](/source/Armenian_language): Օձուն) is a village in the [Lori Province](/source/Lori_Province) of [Armenia](/source/Armenia). It is situated on a [plateau](/source/Plateau) above the left bank of the [Debed](/source/Debed) river [gorge](/source/Gorge), about a thousand metres above the Yerevan–Tbilisi highway, a few kilometres south of the town of [Alaverdi](/source/Alaverdi%2C_Armenia). It is famous for the 5th–7th century [Odzun Church](/source/Odzun_Church), an Armenian [basilica](/source/Basilica) with a [cupola](/source/Cupola), overlooking the gorge.

## Toponymy

According to one explanation, the name of the village derives from the Armenian word *odz* 'snake'; thus, *Odzun* means 'having many snakes' or 'place of snakes'.[3] The name of the village is attested in various forms, such as *Otsun*, *Ozun*, *Adzun* and *Udzun*. Turkic speakers called the village *Uzunlar*, formed by [etymological reinterpretation](/source/Etymological_reinterpretation) of the Armenian name (*uzun* means 'tall' or 'long', and *-lar* is a plural-forming suffix).[4] The village was officially known by this latter name from the beginning of the 19th century until 1967,[5] when it was renamed *Odzun*.[4]

## History

[Odzun Church](/source/Odzun_Church)

In antiquity, Odzun was located in the Tashir district of the province of [Gugark](/source/Gugark).[4] It is mentioned in written sources from the 8th century onward and is one of the oldest settlements in the district of Tashir. In the early medieval period, it served as the center of that district.[5] The 8th-century head of the [Armenian Church](/source/Armenian_Apostolic_Church), Catholicos [John of Odzun](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_of_Odzun&action=edit&redlink=1) [[hy](https://hy.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D5%80%D5%B8%D5%BE%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%B6_%D4%B3_%D5%95%D5%B1%D5%B6%D5%A5%D6%81%D5%AB)] (Hovhan Odznetsi), hailed from this village. In the 13th century, [Vardan Areveltsi](/source/Vardan_Areveltsi) referred to the settlement as a large village or small town (*avan*). There are antiquities from various periods in the village and its vicinity. The [Odzun Church](/source/Odzun_Church), an Armenian [basilica](/source/Basilica) with a [cupola](/source/Cupola), is located in the center of the village. There was once an extensive cemetery with [*khachkars*](/source/Khachkar) surrounding the church. The date of the church's construction is disputed. According to some authors, it was constructed in the 8th century and consecrated by John of Odzun, while others believe it was built as early as the end of the 6th century and later renovated by Catholicos John. Near the church is a funerary monument with carved images dating to the 5th–6th centuries, but which tradition attributes to one of the [Bagratid kings](/source/Bagratid_Armenia). The remains of a 5th-century single-[nave](/source/Nave) church called Tsaghkavank are located on the outskirts of the village.[4]

## Gallery

## Geography

### Topography

The village is situated on a high plateau on the left bank of the [Debed River](/source/Debed). It is spread out and surrounded by fruit trees and fertile fields. The village receives its drinking water from a source located 17–18 kilometers (11–11 mi) away.[4]

### Climate

Climate data for Odzun (1991–2020) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 17.2 (63.0) 18.5 (65.3) 28.0 (82.4) 29.5 (85.1) 30.5 (86.9) 33.8 (92.8) 36.0 (96.8) 38.9 (102.0) 34.7 (94.5) 28.9 (84.0) 24.6 (76.3) 21.0 (69.8) 38.9 (102.0) Daily mean °C (°F) −0.5 (31.1) 0.6 (33.1) 4.2 (39.6) 8.8 (47.8) 13.3 (55.9) 17.6 (63.7) 20.4 (68.7) 20.5 (68.9) 16.4 (61.5) 11.2 (52.2) 4.9 (40.8) 0.8 (33.4) 9.9 (49.7) Record low °C (°F) −20.0 (−4.0) −22.9 (−9.2) −10.5 (13.1) −9.4 (15.1) −1.0 (30.2) 2.0 (35.6) 6.4 (43.5) 4.8 (40.6) −0.4 (31.3) −4.3 (24.3) −16.7 (1.9) −19.6 (−3.3) −22.9 (−9.2) Average precipitation mm (inches) 18.0 (0.71) 20.0 (0.79) 31.4 (1.24) 59.6 (2.35) 89.2 (3.51) 90.4 (3.56) 52.5 (2.07) 39.8 (1.57) 41.0 (1.61) 40.3 (1.59) 21.6 (0.85) 12.7 (0.50) 516.5 (20.35) Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 4.5 4.9 7.2 11.2 15.2 12.7 8.7 7.1 6.7 7.4 5.2 3.5 94.3 Average relative humidity (%) 75.7 75.4 76.4 76.3 77.2 73.6 69.4 68.4 74.1 79.2 79.5 76.4 75.1 Source: NOAA[6]

## References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Odzun](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Odzun).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Lori (Armenia): Towns and Villages in Municipalities"](https://www.citypopulation.de/en/armenia/lori/). *www.citypopulation.de*. Retrieved 2025-04-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2011census_2-0)** [Statistical Committee of Armenia](/source/Statistical_Committee_of_Armenia). ["The results of the 2011 Population Census of the Republic of Armenia"](https://www.armstat.am/file/article/1._bajin_1_182-311.pdf) (PDF).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Harutyunyan, Sargis (2000). *Hay aṛaspelabanutʻyun* Հայ առասպելաբանություն [Armenian mythology] (in Armenian). Beirut: Hamazkayin. p. 236. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [45792779](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/45792779).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:0_4-4) [Hakobyan, T. Kh.](/source/Tadevos_Hakobyan); Melik-Bakhshyan, S. T.; Barseghyan, H. Kh. (2001). "Odzun" Օձուն. *Hayastani ev harakitsʻ shrjanneri teghanunneri baṛaran* Հայաստանի և հարակից շրջանների տեղանունների բառարան [*Dictionary of Toponymy of Armenia and Adjacent Territories*] (in Armenian). Vol. 5. [Erevani hamalsarani hratarakchʻutʻyun](/source/Yerevan_State_University). pp. [473](http://nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=61&dt=HY_HY&pageNumber=4371)–475.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_5-1) Shakhkian, G. (1986). "Odzun" Օձուն. In Arzumanian, Makich (ed.). [*Haykakan sovetakan hanragitaran* Հայկական սովետական հանրագիտարան](/source/Armenian_Soviet_Encyclopedia) [*Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia*] (in Armenian). Vol. 12. Erevan: [Haykakan hanragitarani glkhavor khmbagrutʻyun](/source/Armenian_Encyclopedia_Publishing_House). p. [540](https://hy.wikisource.org/wiki/%D4%B7%D5%BB:%D5%80%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6_%D5%8D%D5%B8%D5%BE%D5%A5%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6_%D5%80%D5%A1%D5%B6%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%A3%D5%AB%D5%BF%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%B6_(Soviet_Armenian_Encyclopedia)_12.djvu/540).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Odzun-37627"](https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Armenia/CSV/Odzun_37627.csv) (CSV). *ncei.noaa.gov* (Excel). [National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration](/source/NOAA). Retrieved 10 March 2024.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: postscript ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_postscript))

v t e Lori Province Capital: Vanadzor Urban settlements Akhtala Alaverdi (including Sanahin) Spitak Stepanavan Tashir Tumanyan Vanadzor Akhtala Municipality Akhtala (village) Aroghjaranin kits Bendik Chochkan Mets Ayrum Neghots Pokr Ayrum Alaverdi Municipality Akner Akori Haghpat Jiliza Kachachkut Shamlugh Tsaghkashat Fioletovo Municipality Fioletovo Gyulagarak Municipality Amrakits Gargar Gyulagarak Hobardzi Kurtan Pushkino Vardablur Lermontovo Municipality Antarashen Lermontovo Lori Berd Municipality Agarak Bovadzor Hovnanadzor Koghes Lejan Lori Berd Sverdlov Urut Yaghdan Metsavan Municipality Dzyunashogh Metsavan Mikhayelovka Paghaghbyur Odzun Municipality Amoj Ardvi Arevatsag Aygehat Hagvi Karmir Aghek Mghart Odzun Tsater Pambak Municipality Antaramut Arjut Aznvadzor Bazum Debet Dzoraget Dzoragyugh Gushar Karaberd Lernajur Lernapat Margahovit Pambak Tsaghkots Vahagnadzor Vahagni Yeghegnut Zhamatun Sarchapet Municipality Apaven Artsni Dzoramut Gogavan Norashen Petrovka Privolnoye Sarchapet Shnogh Municipality Karkop Shnogh Teghut Spitak Municipality Arevashogh Arjhovit Geghasar Gogaran Hartagyugh Jrashen Karadzor Katnajur Khnkoyan Lernantsk Lernavan Lusaghbyur Mets Parni Nor Khachakap Sarahart Saralanj Saramej Shenavan Shirakamut Tsaghkaber Stepanavan Municipality Armanis Katnaghbyur Urasar Tashir Municipality Blagodarnoye Dashtadem Getavan Katnarat Kruglaya shishka Lernahovit Medovka Meghvahovit Noramut Novoseltsovo Saratovka Tumanyan Municipality Ahnidzor Atan Chkalov Dsegh Karinj Kobayr Lorut Marts Shamut Vanadzor Municipality Darpas Gugark Shahumyan

[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
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Authority control databases: National Czech Republic

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Odzun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odzun) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odzun?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.