TZAGHKAVANK-TZIRANAVOR CHURCH

Location. The church stands at the edge of a gorge at the eastern extremity of Odzun Village (Lori Region, Republic of Armenia), at an altitude of 1,055 metres above sea level (N 41°03´05.38´´; E 044°37´21.26´´).

Name Origin. Common people believe that the name of Tzaghkavank derives from the power of healing smallpox (the name of this disease is ‘tzaghik’ in Armenian) with which the church is said to be endowed. As for the name of Tziranavor, it is connected with the worship of Holy Virgin Mary, who is generally depicted as dressed in purple (‘tziranavor’ may be translated as ‘wearing purple’).

An Architectural Description. The church represents a uni-nave basilica with a horseshoe-shaped sanctuary which is typical of early medieval (4th to 5th centuries) monuments. In the north, it has another open sanctuary with a horseshoe-shaped colonnade. Most presumably, in the High Middle Ages, a chapel was constructed through the addition of walls in front of this open sanctuary.

The church (exterior dimensions: 12 x 8.2 metres) is built of the local dark blue finely-dressed basalt and semi-finished stone. Particularly noteworthy is the chapel, the hazarashen (tetrahedral and formed of logs) roof of which comprises intersecting vaults.

During one of the acts of renovation, a fragment of a quadrilateral stele (5th to 6th centuries), adorned with a relief of the Holy Virgin holding Jesus in Her arms, was attached to one of the church walls.

Tziranavor Church is at present semi-destroyed. Its eastern and northern parts are comparatively better preserved, while its southern and western walls are almost entirely in ruins.

The surviving sections of the walls do not bear any inscriptions.