- Thaddeus Cathedral
Infobox World Heritage Site
WHS = The Armenian Monastic Ensemble in Iran
State Party =
Type = Cultural
Criteria = ii, iii, vi
ID = 1262
Region = Asia-Pacific
Year = 2008
Session = 3rd
Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1262The Saint Thaddeus Monastery (Lang-hy|Սուրբ Թադէոս վանք - "Sourb Tadeos Vank"; Azerbaijani: قره کیلسه - "Qara kilsə"; _fa. قرهکلیسا - "Ghareh keliseh"), also known as Kara Kilise [ [http://www.mojesafar.com/PLACES/ghareh-church.htm Ghareh Church - Kelisa, Iranian Travel Agency and Tour Operator, Travel to Iran, Travel Iran ] ] , is an ancient Armenian monastery located in the mountainous area of
Iran 'sWest Azarbaijan Province , about 20 km from the town of Maku. [ [http://armenianstudies.csufresno.edu/iaa_architecture/thaddeus.htm Index of Armenian Art: Armenian Architecture ] ] [Jude: A Pilgrimage to the Saint of Last Resort By Liz Trotta] Sourb Thadeos can be seen from a distance because of the massiveness of the church, strongly characterized by 2 cuspidate tambours. 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 also serves as the church for the village of Ghara-Kilise. [ [http://www.armenica.org/cgi-bin/history/en/getCollection.cgi?=ba=1=baz0010 Thadeus Monastery at Armenica] ]History & 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 theArmenian Church . Legend has it that a church dedicated to him was first built on the present site in AD 68.Not much appears to remain of the original church, which was extensively rebuilt in 1329 after an earthquake destroyed the structure in 1319. Nevertheless, some of the parts surrounding the alter date from the 10th century.
Most of the present structure dates from the early 19th century when
Qajar princeAbbas Mirza also 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 the St. Stepanos monastery and the chapel of Dzordzor (two other Armenian monuments located in the same province).
Notable Details
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".ervices
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. Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in Iran, only Christians have been allowed to visit the church during the ceremonies.
References
External links
* [http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Thaddeus_Monastery Thaddeus Monastery at Armeniapedia]
* [http://www.armenica.org/armenica.cgi?=2=1=baz0010 St Thaddeus at Armenica.org]
* [http://armenianstudies.csufresno.edu/iaa_architecture/thaddeus.htm Armenian Architecture studies]
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