ARMENIAN MONASTERY ON WORLD HERITAGE LIST

CCTV
ess/20081105/102268.shtml
Nov 4 2008
China

The north west part of the Islamic Republic of Iran seems an unlikely
setting for classical Christian Churches. But there are the Iranian
churches of St. Thaddeus, St. Stephanus, and Dzordzor. The churches,
in the provinces of East and West Azerbaijan were added this year,
to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The churches, in the provinces of East and West Azerbaijan were added
this year, to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The Armenian Monastic Ensemble consists of three monasteries of the
Armenian Christian faith: St Thaddeus and St Stephanus and the Chapel
of Dzordzor.

The oldest structure – Saint Thaddeus monastery – dates back to the
seventh century. It’s in Chaldoran, in West Azerbaijan.

Saint Thaddeus, also known as Saint Jude, was one of the twelve
apostles.

The churches, in the provinces of East and West Azerbaijan were added
this year, to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Barsam Abrahamian, monastery caretaker, said, "An apostle of Jesus
Christ came to this region to preach Christianity. After he died, he
was buried somewhere in this monastery. The precise location of his
grave is unknown. Christians come every year to commemorate Thaddeus’
death. About four thousand people, who are Christians from Iran and
Armenia , come here and camp near the church. They pray, light candles
and slaughter sheep."

The Cultural Heritage Organization in Iran held a press conference
about the addition of Saint Thaddeus to the World Heritage List in
July 2008.

The churches, in the provinces of East and West Azerbaijan were added
this year, to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The monastery of Saint Thaddeus and the other two monastic sites
are considered prime examples of the Armenian architectural and
decorative traditions.

The details of the architecture of the three structures reflect
other cultural influences in the region, in particular the Byzantine,
Orthodox and Persian cultures.