IRAN APPLIES FOR THE ARMENIAN BLACK CHURCH TO BE INCLUDED IN THE UN WORLD HERITAGE LIST

armradio.am
24.10.2007 16:49

Iran is applying for Qara Kelisa, or the Armenian Black Church,
to be recognized as a United Nations World Heritage site, Reuters
agency reports.

"This is a symbol of the co-existence of different religions and
ethnicities," said senior conservationist Khosro Farri of Iran’s
Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organisation.

Located in tawny hills, the Black Church derives its name from the
volcanic stone used to build it in the early 14th century after an
older one was destroyed by an earthquake.

Armenians believe one of Jesus’ apostles, St. Jude, was martyred
and then buried where the church now stands. Its distinctive
black-and-white striped tower is visible from afar.

The church is now mostly empty of Christian worshippers, but thousands
of Armenians from around the world flock here every summer for
festivities to commemorate their patron saint, also known as Thaddeus.