It belongs to the Orthodox Christians. Most of the Armenians immigrated to Tehran after the end of World War I, between 1883 to 1893, and formed several new Armenian neighborhoods in the capital city of Iran. Unfortunately, there was not any church or place of worship in the new-formed areas and people were forced to travel to other neighborhoods of Tehran in order to pray. Therefore, a church named St. Marry Armenian Church was erected in the region in order to meet the Christians’ need.
In fact, St. Marry Armenian Church is considered to be the first Armenian cathedral in Iran. It is placed right in front of the Zoroastrian temple named Adrian Fireplace adding to the beauty of this place. In order to find the church among other nearby buildings in Mirza Kuchak Khan Street, you just need to notice the symbol of cross depicted on the door of the church. However, the architecture and special kind of building will guide you in this way. The architecture of this place is special to the extent that it attracts the attention of whose who love the traditional and old architecture. According to some architects, the plan of this place in inspired by the architectures of the Middle Ages in Armenia. The main building is placed at a height you need to go up to reach the entrance.
Although a lot of non-Christians enjoy visiting the church’s rituals and it is one of the reasons of taking a visit to such a place, only Christians are allowed to enter the church on Saturdays and Sundays when their weekly rituals are performed. In order to visit the church in these days, you need to coordinate with the authorities of the place in advance. There is also a museum inside the church which was built in 2008 in one of the neighboring buildings named the National Armenian Museum or the Museum of Artak Manukean. The museum was established with the name of Archbishop Ardak Manukian, the late Caliph of the Armenians of Tehran.
The museum includes maps and photos of Armenian churches and monasteries, the stuff used in the church, religious manuscripts, traditional costumes of Armenian women and their artworks. If you visit the museum before the church, it can be more helpful in order to get familiar with their rituals and orders. It is open and free to pubic visit from Monday to Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 13 p.m.
St. Marry Armenian Church was registered in the list of Iran National Heritages in 2002. The tomb of some great Armenian figures like David Davidian (known as the Armenian Piram Khan), a constitution commander, and also Hovhannes Khan Masehian, are placed in the yard of the church adding to its value. There are some other places near the church in a short distance which are known as a tourism attraction; they are Koushk-e-Mesri St, Melal-e Mottahed St, Sardar é Bagh Melli, Post Museum, Iran Ebrat Museum, Malek National Library & Museum, Glassware and Ceramic Museum of Iran, Adrian Fireplace and Treasury of National Jewels you can visit at the same time.
In order to visit St. Marry Armenian Church, you just need to get yourself to Jomhouri street. Since the church is placed in District 12 of Tehran which is one of the most crowded ones, it is suggested that you do not use your personal car for this trip. You can travel using the public transportation. There are to bus lines around Jomhouri street: Baharestan Street to Jomhouri Street; and Baharestan Street to Valiasr Street, you can use them to reach the destination. The BRT-line 4 is also passing through the street getting you to St. Marry Armenian Church. If you are going to get there through 30 Tir street, Imam Khomeini Metro Station will also help you; the route will offer you so many other attractions, too.
The Complex of Armenian churches in Iran
