CHURCHES IN IRAN

Freedom of conscience and religion has a deep historical root in iran and in fact intertwined with the Iranian culture.there are some famous ancient church in iran such as the churches of holy mary in Urmiah and church of Vank in Isfahan .

It is said that the church of holy mary is the second most famous church in the world after the church of Bethlehem in the birthplace of jesus.

The vank churche reflects some of the most attractive features of iranian architecture.

The well known , church museum with its magnificent building stands as a token of brilliant Iranian architecture in the Safavid era.

Dating back to a period between the 9th and 16th country A.D . the church of holy Tadeus is situated in west Azarbayjan provience.

The churche is reportedly built by Tadeus an apostle of jesus.

A large number of Christians go on a pilgrimage to the church every year.

Vank churche is the second oldest church in IRAN just after the holy mary church.

THE Zayanderood beautiful river in the middle of the city seprates the historical premises in Naghsh-e- jahan square from Jolfa district where the church of Vank is located.

Some historians hold that there once stood an Anahita temple at the very site on which the church of Vank now stands.

Christians named the church amena pergij which means “ savior “ which the painting depicting the burial ceremony of jesus is worth a visit.

The ceremony has been beautiful depicted by iranian painters.

The church museum is also worth visiting.

The museum holds numerous historical documents and objects. Most objects kept at the museum have been given to the church as gift by chiristian and Armenian merchants who traveled to Euroup in Armenian version as well as orders and letters of the Safavid king are being kept in the museum.there is also statue of KHachetour gesaraty who was monk and church leader at complex. He is the same man who imported the first printing machine to the middle east in general and to Isfahan in particular.