Iran’s Qara Kelisa to Exhibit Armenian Art

Iran’s West-Azarbaijan Province is to hold an exhibition at Qara Kelisa, presenting artifacts created by the country’s Armenian artists.

The event, to be held from July 22 to 26, 2009, will display various forms of handicrafts and artistic creations on the theme of ‘church’.

Organized by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism office in West-Azarbaijan Province, the exhibition will commemorate the martyrdom of one of the apostles of Jesus, Saint Thaddeus, who constructed Qara Kelisa (Black Church) in 68 CE.

Every year scores of Armenians, Assyrians and Catholics from Iran and other countries visit the church to commemorate the martyrdom of Saint Thaddeus and his followers.

Perched on a mountain ridge south of the city of Maku, Qara Kelisa is one of the oldest and most notable surviving Christian monuments of Iran and carries great significance for the country’s Armenian Orthodox community.

Armenians believe the church is the world’s first church and was constructed by Saint Thaddeus, after he traveled to Armenia, then part of the Persian Empire, to preach the teachings of Christ.

Qara Kelisa has been registered as the ninth Iranian historical-cultural heritage site on the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage List.

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