Introductions to churches in Iran
In Iran, there is a significant population of Christians, hence numerous churches exist in the country which have been converted into historical and religious sites.
Sarkis Church, Mazandaran Province:
Sarkis Church is located in Mazandaran Province. This church was built during the Pahlavi era in the town of Savadkuh, in a village of the same name. In 1382, it was registered as one of Iran’s national monuments. At that time, Italian Christian engineers came to Savadkuh to construct a railway and needed a church for their religious ceremonies, so Sarkis Church was built. The church, constructed with bricks and plaster, has dimensions of three by three and features a door and two windows, one on the east and the other on the north. There is a document in Italian about this event displayed in the church. The church is located about two kilometers from the Varisk Bridge and opposite the Sarkisabad railway station. It is known as the smallest church in the world.
Qara Church, West Azerbaijan Province:
Qara Church, also known as the Church of St. Thaddeus, is located about 20 kilometers northeast of Chaldoran city, near a village of the same name. This church is situated in the southern part of Maku, a city in West Azerbaijan Province. The construction of this church dates back to the early Christian era, according to Khorenatsi, an Armenian historian. The name “Qara” means “black” in Azerbaijani, and it was named so due to a part of the church being black. St. Thaddeus Church, also known as the Church of Taddeus, is recognized as one of UNESCO’s most important world heritage sites and is considered the first Christian church in the world.
Vank Cathedral, Isfahan Province:
This church is known as the largest and most famous church in Iran and is renowned as the Armenian Cathedral of Isfahan. It is also known internationally as “Amna Perkich” and is one of the 13 remaining churches in the Jolfa neighborhood of Isfahan from the 17th century. “Vank” in Armenian means “monastery.”
Cantor Church, Qazvin Province:
This church was built during World War II and the occupation of Iran by the Russians in Qazvin city. The word “Cantor” in Russian means “headquarters” or “center.” After the departure of the Russians, this church was abandoned in Iran because Orthodox Christians were not residents of Iran. Therefore, this building is now preserved as one of the historical monuments. Cantor Church, also known as the Bell Tower, is also known as the “Russian Church” and was built by a Russian company in Qazvin during the late Qajar period.
St. Sarkis Church, Tehran Province:
The largest church in Tehran, it has dimensions of 36.5 meters in length and 17.8 meters in width, earning it the title of the capital’s cathedral. St. Sarkis was one of the apostles of the Armenian Church who was martyred for his Christian faith in the early 4th century AD. The interior of the church, with a cross-shaped plan and stained glass windows depicting religious stories, creates an atmosphere filled with Christian symbols.
St. Mary’s Church, Urmia:
Some archaeologists and researchers believe that St. Mary’s Church in Urmia is the second oldest historical church in the world located in Iran. There are various narratives about this religious site, contributing to its fame. The current facade of the building dates back to the Assyrian period and, according to archaeologists, can be traced back to the Sassanian era. Some Assyrian and Christian writers believe that initially, this building was used as a fire temple and was considered one of the most important Zoroastrian temples in the past. However, after the Zoroastrians converted to Christianity, the building was transformed into a church. Marco Polo, the famous traveler, visited this church closely. St. Mary’s Church is considered the second oldest church in the world in Urmia and is one of the historical treasures of this region.
Surp Garabed Church, Abadan:
The Armenian Church of Abadan was built during the Pahlavi era. The church was constructed in 1958 (1336 Persian calendar) and is known as the largest Armenian community hall in Abadan. This church was damaged during the Iran-Iraq War but was restored by the Headquarters for the Restoration of War-Affected Areas. Located in a corner of the National School building, which was dedicated to Armenian students residing in Abadan, the church is now used only occasionally due to the shortage of Christians in Abadan. It is the only church in Iran that is wall-to-wall with a mosque, indicating the friendship and cultural solidarity in Abadan, demonstrating cultural interaction and cohesion.
St. Stephanos Church, East Azerbaijan:
The St. Stephanos Church is a unique combination of Urartian, Parthian, and Roman architectural styles. Constructed from red, pink, and white stones, this church boasts mesmerizing exterior walls adorned with striking carvings. The unparalleled tranquility, coupled with the unparalleled beauty of this monastery, evokes a profound sense of serenity in the viewer, which is scarcely found elsewhere.
