Journey in the World Church

Journey in the World Church

It is said that this church is the oldest church in the world; the first church built by the apostles of Christ. It is right or wrong, there is no doubt in one thing; St. Thaddeus Monastery in West Azarbaijan is inscribed on the UNESCO’s List of World Heritage and it is one of the most valuable and beautiful buildings in the world. This building is covered with white and black stones with mythological designs and unique cutters, and a light ringtone that recalls its being across the history. Nowrouz holidays can be a good time to visit this old church; the church that after several times damages especially earthquakes many people have labored for its sustainability such as "Simon Beznoni" - Bishop Makoo- and "Abbas Mirza" - Qajar crown prince- and each one added its splendor.

Do not miss it

After visiting St. Thaddeus Monastery and its attachment, you can walk in the churchyard surrounding area and see the site. "Sungirl" tomb on the hills across the church, "cemetery" in plain facing the Church "Holy Zagaria" in 300 meters valley are three unique sights of the region.

How can we get there?

To see the Church, you should go to “Ghare Kelisa” village in “Siah Cheshme” in “Chaldoran” city in the West Azarbaijan province.

Personal Car

In Tabriz road, from Soufian to “Marand” and then “Yamchi”. Continuing the way to “Gharah Zia Al-Din”, you join to a road that is about 42 miles away from the beginning of the road to the entrance of the church. After that, you must enter the secondary road connected to the church.

Public transportation

Go to Marand from Tabriz and then, go to “Khoy” with a taxi. Then, take a charter from khoy.

How to get back?

Ways in the heart of stone

Sightseeing's Guide has been provided by "Karen Sarkisian" Graduated in history; unique internal and external recommendations in 2 Section are for those, who are visiting there for the first time.

Outer space

To visit the area, you must start from somewhere that you parked your car. To enter, you must pass a gate connected to the church fortifications.

Churchyard

The church is in the middle of a large area; that leads to the surrounding valley from all four sites. Towers and fortifications around the ancient times were the site of the church guards and you can still see the holes that the guards took out their guns.

Entranceway

A small circular corridor next to the entrance guide you to the upstairs, means on the roof in that a set of rooms are built around a courtyard and also, to the four fortifications. These old circular rooms in the past were used as barn and pulses set, flour workshops, oil workshops and accommodation of priests and monks in the Church and today, they are used only in the annual ceremony of Armenians in early August.

Interior Space

The most interesting part of this series is 2 colors church courtyard. To enter, you should pass the square landing that large metal bell hanging from it.

Church building

If you get there before noon, after passing through a beautiful wood door to the main area of the church; the first thing, that you will see, is a large luminous cross on the floor. If you pursue the trace of light and get to above the altar; here a stone cross carved on the walls and the sunlight shines into the grooves. The main hall of the church is a large rectangle that starts at the entrance to the sanctuary.

Stone Rooms

Two stone rooms are built in two sides of the altar which were used to be alone with God. While in the room to the right of the altar, there is a staircase that provides the opportunity to go to the mezzanine above the church. The semi-secret staircase was also a security strategy in case of danger. After coming out of the side rooms; visiting the altar with long curtains and especial decorations and of course, the stone basin on the left of the altar that is used for baptism ceremonies is not unpleasant.

Images of the inside the church

With short-circuit in the main hall of the church, except rock carvings, including mythological images, images of an evangelist and a variety of decorated crosses; you can watch the paintings of "Gregory", founder of the Armenian Church, the apostles and other religious images. All these paintings, donated by the Armenian families to the church.