St. Thaddeus Monastery

This article is about an Armenian monastery in Iran. For the church in Armenia, see St. Thaddeus Church, Ddmashen.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Armenian Monastic Ensemble in Iran
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List
Type Cultural
Criteria ii, iii, vi
Reference 1262
UNESCO region Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription 2008 (32nd Session)

The Monastery of Saint Thaddeus (Armenian: Սուրբ Թադէոսի վանք – Surb Tadeosi vank'; Persian: کلیسای سن تادئوس‎‎ – Kelisā ye San Tādeus) is an ancient Armenian monastery in the mountainous area of West Azerbaijan Province, Iran.

Also known as the Black Church[1] (Azerbaijani: Qara Kilsə; Persian: Qare Kelisā – قره‌ کلیسا‎‎), it is located about 20 kilometers from the town of Maku.[2][3] The monastery and its unique conical roofs are visible from long distances.[4]

History and architecture

Regional map showing the location of the Monastery of Saint Thaddeus

According to the tradition of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Saint Thaddeus, also known as Saint Jude, (not to be confused with Judas Iscariot), evangelized the region of Armenia and Persia.[5] Thaddeus suffered martyrdom in Armenia, according to the same tradition, and is revered as an apostle of the Armenian Church.[6] Legend has it that a church dedicated to him was first built on the present site in AD 68.

Little remains of the monastery's original structure, as it was extensively rebuilt after an earthquake damaged it in 1319. Nevertheless, some of the parts surrounding the altar apse date from the 10th century.

Much of the present structure dates from 1811,[7] when the Qajar prince Abbas Mirza aided renovations and repairs. Simeon, Father Superior of the monastery, added a large narthex-like western extension to the church.

The structure duplicates the design of the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church.[8] The 19th century additions were constructed from carved sandstone. The earliest sections are of black and white stone, hence its Turkic name Qara Kilse, meaning "the Black Church."

In July 2008, the Monastery of Saint Thaddeus was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List, along with two other Armenian monuments located in the same province, the Monastery of Saint Stepanos and the Chapel of Dzordzor.

Notable details

Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew

According to Armenian Church tradition, the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew traveled through Armenia in AD 45 to preach the word of God, where many people were converted and numerous secret Christian communities were established.

The ancient Christian historian Moses of Khorene told the following story, considered a legend by most modern historiographers.[9] Thaddeus converted King Abgar V of Edessa. After his death, the Armenian kingdom was split into two parts. His son Ananun crowned himself in Edessa, while his nephew Sanatruk ruled in Armenia. About AD 66, Ananun gave the order to kill Saint Thaddeus in Edessa. The king's daughter Sandokht, who had converted to Christianity, was martyred with Thaddeus. Her tomb is said to be located near the Qara Kelisa.

Events

The monastery holds an annual ceremony on the Day of Saint Thaddeus that is attended by Armenian pilgrims from Iran and other countries.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ Korbendau, Yves; Parker, Claire; McElhearn, Kirk (2009-03-01). The Many Faces of Iran. ISBN 9782867701535.
  2. ↑ Index of Armenian Art: Armenian Architecture
  3. ↑ Jude: A Pilgrimage to the Saint of Last Resort By Liz Trotta
  4. ↑ "Thadeus Monastery – Armenica.org". armenica.org.
  5. ↑ McBirnie, William Steuart. The Search For the Twelve Apostles. Tyndale Momentum, 1973, p.154-157
  6. ↑ McBirnie, p. 156
  7. ↑ Thierry & Donabedian 1989, p. 308.
  8. ↑ Patrick Donabedian & Jean-Michell Thierry, "Armenian Art", New York, 1989. Page 308.
  9. ↑ David Wilmshurst (2011). The Martyred Church: A History of the Church of the East. East & West Publishing Limited. pp. 7–9. ISBN 978-1-907318-04-7. Retrieved 12 June 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to St. Thaddeus Monastery.

Coordinates: 39°05′32″N 44°32′40″E / 39.09222°N 44.54444°E / 39.09222; 44.54444

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