Khachkend is a village in the Alexandropol uezd of the former Iravan governorate, later in the former Boyuk Garakilsa (Gugark) district, and currently in the Lori province. The provincial centre is located 20 km to the northeast of the town of Vanadzor (Boyuk Garakilsa), at a height of 1,100 m above sea level.

The toponym was coined by combining the Azerbaijani words “khach” (a cross) and “kend” (a village). The village was initially inhabited by Azerbaijanis who gradually left it following the settlement of Armenians in the region.

By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR dated 3 January 1935, the village was renamed “Debet”. According to the law “On the administrative-territorial division of the Republic of Armenia” dated 7 November 1995, it was integrated into the administrative area of the Lori province.

Geographical coordinates: latitude: 40°55’ N., longitude: 44°38’ E.