Saint Mary Church of Tabriz

There are several churches in Tabriz, of which the Saint Mary Church is the oldest and largest. This Armenian Apostolic Church is the main venue where Iranian Armenians hold their national religious ceremonies. Only Armenians can have the membership of this church and people play an important role in its administrative structure.

History of Saint Mary Church of Tabriz

There are several tombstones around this place of worship, some of which date back to the 16th century AD. However, the presence of a portal at the entrance and the arches that have unique decorations strengthen the speculations about the construction of the church in the 13th or 14th centuries AD (coinciding with the rule of the Ilkhanate Mongols in Iran).

There is a small marble inscription at the entrance of the church, on which the date 1782 AD is written in Aramaic script. This date is related to the reconstruction of the church after the Tabriz earthquake in 1780 AD. In this incident, the church was almost completely destroyed. Today’s church was built on top of the previous structure and following its previous plan; although certain architectural principles of the Safavid era were also used. The reconstruction operation took three years and ended in 1785 AD.

Features and Architectural Style of Saint Mary Church of Tabriz

The entrance of the church has eight stone pillars that together form a room-like space. Both bells of the church have been placed on these eight pillars.

The tree-filled courtyard of the church is the first sight that attracts attention after entering it. The first printing press of Tabriz was installed in this place by a person named Stepanos Mokhtarian the bishop of the Armenians of Azarbaijan, in 1889 AD to print the educational books of the Aramiyan school.

This church was built in a special style of Armenian architecture. This architectural style is more than 4500 years old, invented by Armenians, and evolved over the centuries. Of course, some parts of the building are somewhat different from the principles of Armenian architecture, which shows that the Saint Mary Church of Tabriz has been restored or some parts were added to it in different eras. This fact can also be recognized from the difference in the materials used. While the walls and columns of the church are made of stone and brick, and its arch is made of brick, its exterior has been made of unhewn stone and lime.

The general shape of the church is cruciform and four thick columns can be seen in it, which hold the central dome. Beautiful paintings can be seen on all four columns, two of which are older than the others. Paintings of Saint Mary, Jesus Christ, apostles, and Christian saints can be seen on the walls of the church. The paintings are designed on canvas using oil paint and in a European style.

Armenian Museum of the Saint Mary Church of Tabriz

The Armenian Museum, which contains historical artifacts and objects related to Armenians, is located in a part of the church. Since this museum is managed under the supervision of the Armenian Diocese of Azarbaijan, it is also called “Museum of the Armenian Diocese of Azarbaijan”.

Printed and manuscript books written in Persian, Armenian, and Arabic languages are among the most important objects in this museum. 35 volumes of these books are written in Armenian language in Hebrew script and on deer skin. Khamsa of Nizami, Zakhireye Khwarazmshahi, Me’raj al-Nabuwah, and the translation of the Holy Bible into Armenian are among the exquisite books of the museum.

All kinds of gems, coins, statues, ornaments, fabrics, tables and chairs, old crosses, the attire of Armenian bishops, royal crowns, scrolls and edicts, paintings, weapons, scepters, and copper, silver, and clay dishes are among the other objects put on display in this museum.

The Saint Mary Church of Tabriz was inscribed on the list of Iran’s national heritage in the year 2002.

The Saint Mary Church of Tabriz is the main venue where Iranian Armenians hold their national religious ceremonies.