Saint Thaddeus Monastery
| The Armenian Monastic Ensemble in Iran * | |
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| Country |  Iran |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iii, vi |
| Reference | 1262 |
| Region ** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2008 (32rd Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List ** Region as classified by UNESCO |
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The Saint Thaddeus Monastery (Armenian: Սուրբ Թադէոսի վանք - Sourb Tadeos Vank; Azerbaijani and Persian: قرهکلیسا -In persian Sertivier keliseh, meaning "the heart of iran church"), also known as Kara Kilise[citation needed], is an ancient Armenian monastery located in the mountainous area of Iran's West Azarbaijan Province, about 20 km from the town of Maku.[1][2]
The monastery is visible from a distance because of the massiveness of the church, strongly characterized by the polygonal drums and conical roofs of its two domes. There are several chapels nearby: three on the hills east of the stream, one approximately 3km south of the monastery on the road to Bastam, and another that serves as the church for the village of Ghara-Kilise.[3]
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[edit] History and architecture
One of the 12 Apostles, St. Thaddeus, also known as Saint Jude, (not to be confused with Judas Iscariot), was martyred while spreading the Gospel. He is revered as an apostle of the Armenian Church[disambiguation needed 
]. Legend has it that a church dedicated to him was first built on the present site in AD 68.[citation needed]
Not much appears to remain of the original church, which was extensively rebuilt in 1329 after an earthquake damaged the structure in 1319. Nevertheless, some of the parts surrounding the altar apse date from the 10th century.
Most of the present structure dates from the early 19th century when Qajar prince Abbas Mirza helped in renovations and repairs. The 19th century additions are from carved sandstone. The earliest parts are of black and white stone, hence its Turkish name Kara Kilise, the Black Church.
A fortified wall surrounds the church and its now-abandoned monastery buildings.
In July 2008, the St. Thaddeus monastery was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List, along with two other Armenian monuments located in the same province: Saint Stepanos Monastery and the chapel of Dzordzor.
[edit] Gallery
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Regional map showing the location of the monastery
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A closeup view of the compound
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Details of craftsmanship
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Another detail view
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View of masonry
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Interior view
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[edit] Notable details
[edit] Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew
The Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew traveled through Armenia in AD 45 to preach the word of God. Many people were converted and numerous secret Christian communities were established there.
Around that time, Abgar died after ruling for 38 years and 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 St. Thaddeus in Edessa. The king's daughter Sandokht, who had converted to Christianity, was martyred with Thaddeus. Her tomb is located near the Ghara Kelisa.
[edit] Services
It only has one service a year, on the Day of St. Thaddeus (near July first), which is attended by Armenian pilgrims from all over Iran and other countries.
[edit] References
- ^ Index of Armenian Art: Armenian Architecture
- ^ Jude: A Pilgrimage to the Saint of Last Resort By Liz Trotta
- ^ Thadeus Monastery at Armenica
[edit] See also
[edit] Nearby medieval Armenian monasteries in Vaspurakan
- Saint Bartholomew Monastery, a 13th century Armenian monastery (about 110 km south-southwest in Turkey) that was built at the site of the martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew, another Armenian patron saint
- Saint Stepanos Monastery, an Armenian monastery about 82 km west in the Araks River valley
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Saint Thaddeus Monastery |
- UNESCO World Heritage: Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran
- Thaddeus Monastery at Armeniapedia
- St Thaddeus at Armenica.org
- Armenian Architecture studies
- Hamid-Rezā Hosseini, Sound of the Ancient Bell (Avā-ye Nāghus-e Kohan - آواى ناقوس کهن), in Persian, Jadid Online, October 31, 2008, [1].
A shorter English version: Iran's World Heritage Monastery, Jadid Online, December 25, 2008: [2].
Slide show (with English subtitles): [3] (5 min 41 sec).
Coordinates: 39°05′32″N 44°32′40″E / 39.09222°N 44.54444°E
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