WEST AZERBAIJAN'S

CHURCHS

Christianity entered west of Iranian empire from the first century of its genesis. This penetration took place of in two ways, one from Mesopotamia (the land forming part of Iranian territory before Islam the natural border of which was the Euphrates rever) and the otherT from Armenia.

From the beginning of Christianity, Christians of Iran have always consisted of two peoples assyriand and Armenia.

Assyrians believe that saint toume, one of the chrit's twelve disciples propagated this religion among them after the year 33 A.D, and attribute the saint Mary church of urmia to him.

Armenians believe that, Christianity was disseminated among them by saint thaddeus one of Christ's disciples and attribute the saint thaddeus church (qara kelisa) in chaldoran him.

On the other hand, we know that Christianity was announced official religion in Armenia by saint Gregore known as Nour Bakhsh (the enlightener) from the year 301 A.D. owing to certain events, the seat of Iranian Assyrians who were founder of the church of the east, was in west Iran.

Jurisdiction of the church of the east was so stretched that covered west of Iran to it's farthest states in the north east, namely the central Asia and today's Afghanistan, churches were established on both sides of the Oxus river and subsequently, spread the Christianity even into china. Therefore, west of Iran and west Azerbaijan in particular, has been one of the propagation centers of Christianitysince long times ago.

That's why most of the old churches in present territory of Iran, like saint Thaddeus so called as "Qara Kelisa" in Makoo, Saint Mary mostly referred to as "Naneh Maryam" in Urmia, "Surp Stepanus" in Julfa. "Herip Simeh" in Marand. "Mar Gevargis" in Salmas. And "Surp Sarkis" in Khoy are located there.

Regarding the aforementioned, it is observed that west Azerbaijan province is part of an old land, that houses important remnants of civilizations from the third millennium B.C. and in thousands of years.

All its surface has been the impact arena of different religions and cultures as well as civilizations and governments, and after all, from view point if Christianity, it has been a crucial region since very long past, so that we see the tombs of Christian holy figures like that of Vartan Mamikonian near Khoy on top of a hill over – looking the Khoy plain, tomb of saint Thaddeus at the site of the present church in the same name, that of Sandokht near the previous place, and tombs of three wise men at saint Mary church of Urmia named, Bolshaser, Neboukdnasr, and Malcom, as a few instances.

As narrated, Surp Bartolimius one of the Christ's disciples was the founder of saint Stepanus church in Julfa. Among the above, the most famous church is saint Thaddeus located near Chaldoran (suburb of Makkoo). In the history of this church it has been said that, in the beginning years of Christ's advent, one of his disciple named Thaddeusdeparted to treat Abkar king of Odsa (Orhai) in the year 33 A.D, and propagated Christianity in this city for a while. After doing the affairs delegated to him, Thaddeus goes to Armenia and manages to attract people to this new religion in a short time, therefore he is disliked and persecuted by the state men and local rulers andfinally martyred. After martyrdom of Thaddeus, a group of his supporters, bury him in secret at the site of present saint thaddeus church. Years later, a temple was built on his tomb by his followers, gradually growing into pilgrimage place of Armenian Christians.

From the beginning of its founding to the 14^th century A.D when the building found its present shape, the said church has been ruined several times due to devastating events, being rebuilt subilt sybsequently.

Building of saint Thaddeus church in facing and construction style, has total similarity to those of Echmiadzin church of Iravan city the capital of Armenia.

Religious leaders of Azerbaijan Armenians, used saint Thaddeus church as seat of there caliphate for long periods. In old times leader of saint Thaddeus church was one of the high-ranking clergy men who enjoyed voting right in appointing the great Catholicus (the great Religios leader). Present building of the church consists of two parts, the old and the later. The old part has been made up of black stones (repairedReligious leaders of Azerbaijan Armenians, used saint Thaddeus church as seat of there caliphate for long periods. In old times leader of saint Thaddeus church was one of the high-ranking clergy men who enjoyed voting in appointing the great Catholicus (the great Religios leader). Present building of the church consists of two parts, the old and the later. The old part has been made up of black stones (repairedin 1329 A.D), and the later part that was built in 1820 A.D was fully constructed with white stones.

Outer face of the monument is decorated with carved figures, mostly portraits of Christ's disciples and other great religious persons.

Saint Thaddeus church enjoys a special regard among Armenians of the world, and in late july of each year its annual rites is held with the presence of thousands of Armenians and other sects and religions of Christianity, and meanwhile, in special rituals Christian infantsare baptized and young couples married.