IRAN PROPOSING CHURCHES TO UNESCO

PRESS TV, Iran
April 10 2007

Armenian media has recently reported on Iran’s measures to register
some of its historical churches on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

"Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization
(CHTHO) proposed documents on St. Thaddeus Church in northwestern Iran
to UNESCO," Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) quoted Pan-Armenian
Television as saying.

Other churches include St. Stephanus, Soursur, Chupan, and Blessed
Virgin.

"According to CHTHO’s expert Mohammad-Hassan Khadem, a group of experts
of the UNESCO International Council on Monuments and Historical
Places will arrive in Iran to examine the situation in churches if
the proposal is approved," Pan-Armenian TV said.

Also known as Kara-Kilisa (Black Church), St. Thaddeus Church is
located in Marand. It’s one of the world’s most ancient churches
dating back 1,700 years.

Soursur is situated in Barun village; it was built between 1314 and
1315, thanks to efforts of archbishop Zakarius.

The Iranian government dedicated an area 110 meters high to preserve
the monument during the construction of the Barun dam.

There are 500 churches in Iran, 44 of which are regarded as national
heritage.