Saint Stephanus Church

The church, situated in East Azerbaijan, is considered the most premier for the Armenians after Ghara Klisa Church, in West Azerbaijan. Also known as, Darre Sham Church, it is recorded on the world heritage list of UNESCO. It's located 26 km west of Jolfa, in a neighborhood named Ghariye Ghezel Vank, red monastery, near the village of Darre Sham, in a rural district of Aras, the city of Maku.
All the exterior walls, roofs, dome, dome leg, pillars, and belfry are built with chiseled white and pink stones. The facade boasts motifs and arcades which are separated by columns.
The masterpiece from 8th and 9th centuries AD is of note in architecture and the interior decorations.
There are 3 churches in Darre Sham.
The village was active until the Safavid era and the Armenians worked as farmers and herders but after their migration to the plateau of Iran at the order of Shah Abbas Safavi, it was abandoned. The three churches include, Holy People Church, Holy Gudrak Church, and Shepherd Church.
Saint Stephanos is one of seven people that his inauguration was done by the apostles of Jesus Christ and became a Christian missionary. He was a target of slander by the Jerusalem Jews and accused of saying things contrary to the Judaism law. He was captured and then stoned on December 16, 3 6 AD.
Since the holy spot is housed in a green region with cool weather it receives a large crowd of domestic and foreign sightseers over holidays and hot seasons.