| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 Saint Thaddeus Monastery, northwestern view | |
 Interactive map of Monastery of Saint Thaddeus Սուրբ Թադեոս վանք | |
| Location | Qareh Kelisa,Chaldoran County,Iran |
| Part of | Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iii), (vi) |
| Reference | 1262 |
| Inscription | 2008 (32ndSession) |
| Area | 40 ha (0.15 sq mi) |
| Buffer zone | 311 ha (1.20 sq mi) |
| Coordinates | 39°5′32″N44°32′40″E / 39.09222°N 44.54444°E /39.09222; 44.54444 |
  Monastery of Saint Thaddeus Location of Monastery of Saint Thaddeus in Iran | |
TheMonastery of Saint Thaddeus (Armenian:Սուրբ Թադէոսի վանք,Surb Tadeosi vank;Persian:کلیسای تادئوس مقدس,Kelisā-ye Tādeus moghadas) is anArmenian monastery in a mountainous area ofWest Azerbaijan province,Iran. Although much of the present structure has been erected byAbbas Mirza in 1811[1], the monastery isone of the oldest church buildings in the world.
Also known asKare Kilisa (the "Stone made Church")[2] (Kare in Armenian translates to "stone," and Kelisa is the Persian word for "church"), this historic site is located approximately 20 kilometers from the town ofChaldiran in Iran, in the region historically referred to as Ancient Armenia in the East.[3][4] The monastery and its distinctive Armenianconical roofs are visible from long distances.[5]
The monastery is the site of thePilgrimage of St. Thaddeus, which in 2020 was added by UNESCO to its list ofIntangible Cultural Heritage.[6]
According to the tradition of theArmenian Apostolic Church,Saint Thaddeus, also known as Saint Jude, evangelized the region of Armenia and Persia.[7] According to Moses of Khorenatsi, an Armenian historian writing in the 5th century, Thaddeus suffered martyrdom in Armenia under KingSanatruk,[8] and is revered as anapostle of the Armenian Church.[7] Legend holds that a church dedicated to him was first built on the present site—also said to be his burial place—in AD 66,[9] with another source placing the foundation in AD 239 underSt. Gregory the Illuminator.[8] Another tradition states that Thaddeus built a monastery at the site for his followers, who buried him there upon his death. The exact date of construction is unknown.[8]
The monastery was damaged in 1231, during the Mongol invasions of Armenia and the Persian Empire, and again in 1242.[8]
Little remains of the monastery's original structure, as it was extensively rebuilt after an earthquake damaged it in 1319, during which 75 monks died.[8] Nevertheless, parts surrounding the altarapse date from the 7th century.
Much of the present structure dates from 1811,[10] when theQajar princeAbbas Mirza aided renovations and repairs. Simeon, Father Superior of the monastery, added a large narthex-like real Armenian architecture, west extension to the church.
The west extension duplicates the design ofEtchmiadzin Cathedral, the mother church of theArmenian Apostolic Church.[10] The 19th century additions were constructed from ashlar Ashlar masonry stone. The earliest sections are black and white stone.
In July 2008, the Monastery of Saint Thaddeus was added toUNESCO's World Heritage List, along with two other Armenian monuments in the same province: theMonastery of Saint Stepanos and theChapel of Dzordzor.[11]
According to Armenian Church tradition, the ApostlesThaddeus andBartholomew 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 historianMoses of Khorene told the following story, considered a legend by most modern historiographers.[12]Thaddeus converted KingAbgar V ofEdessa. After his death, the Armenian kingdom was split into two parts. His son Ananun crowned himself in Edessa, while his nephewSanatruk ruled inArmenia. 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 monastery.
The annual ceremony and pilgrimage in the St. Thaddeus Monastery was held 14–16 July 2016. It was held by theArmenian Diocese of Atrpatakan. In December 2020,UNESCO added the pilgrimage to its list ofIntangible Cultural Heritage.[6]
.jpg)
Media related toSaint Thaddeus Monastery at Wikimedia Commons
West Azerbaijan province, Iran | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capital |  | |
| Counties andcities | ||
| Tourism | ||
| Places | ||
