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ARMENIAN MONASTIC ENSEMBLES
Tehran Times
On Line: 02 January 2012 16:18
In Print: Tuesday 03 January 2012
The Saint Thaddeus Monastery
The Armenian monasteries of Iran have borne continuous testimony,
since the origins of Christianity and certainly since the 7th century,
to Armenian culture in its relations and contact with the Persian
and later the Iranian civilizations. They bear testimony to a very
large and refined panorama of architectural and decorative content
associated with Armenian culture, in interaction with other regional
cultures: Byzantine, Orthodox, Assyrian, Persian and Muslim.
The monasteries have survived some 2,000 years of destruction, both
of human origin and as a result of natural disasters. They have been
rebuilt several times in a spirit in keeping with Armenian cultural
traditions. Today they are the only important vestiges of Armenian
culture in this region. Saint-Thaddeus, the presumed location of the
tomb of the apostle of Jesus Christ, St. Thaddeus, has always been a
place of high spiritual value for Christians and other inhabitants
in the region. It is still today a living place of pilgrimage for
the Armenian Church.
The state party has made a remarkable long-term effort regarding
the restoration and conservation of the Armenian monastic ensembles
in Iran. Their integrity and authenticity are satisfactory, and this
includes the Chapel of Dzordzor, which (because of a dam construction
project) was moved and then rebuilt with an evident concern to retain
authenticity.
The legal protection in place is adequate. The monastic ensemble
is currently in a good state of conservation. The management plan
provides the necessary guarantees for the long-term conservation of
the property and the expression of its outstanding universal value.
(Source: UNESCO)
The Saint Thaddeus Monastery The famous and marvelous monastic
complex of St. Thaddeus is located in the mountainous area of western
Azerbaidjan Province. It is perched on a mountain ridge beside a stream
sunken into the rock, thus giving it a natural fortified position.
The outline of it, placed on gently rolling hills, stands out sharply
against the vastness of the horizon. Sourb Thade (St. Thaddeus)
or Kara-Kilise (the black church) as it is called by the people of
Northern Iran, forms a harmonious, integral part with its surroundings
both in the material with which it is constructed, and in its form.
The location of the monastery was surely chosen for strategic reasons,
for it was built during a period when neighboring peoples seriously
threatened it.
The thick walls around the monastery, also, had an important defensive
function during sieges, and the complex was built especially to
withstand them. It is situated within a natural circle of mountains,
a short distance from a river. Wells drilled within the enclosure
guaranteed a water supply. The church was surrounded by vast,
fertile fields, quite suitable for farming, and therefore capable
of supplying food for both men and animals. The harvest was well
protected in special storage rooms, thus enabling the monastery to
keep its independence and relative security. Although it is not dated,
according to the legend, the monastery was founded by Apostle Thaddeus
(66AD) on the spot of a former pagan temple.
Time after time it was destroyed by invasions, and struck by
earthquakes, the most devastating of which occurred in 1319. The
monastery was rebuild, and further renewed and enlarged during the
course of the following centuries. Most of the present structure dates
from the early 19th century when Qajar prince Abbas Mirza 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 two other Armenian monuments located in
the same province: Saint Stepanos Monastery and the chapel of Dzordzor.
Tehran Times
On Line: 02 January 2012 16:18
In Print: Tuesday 03 January 2012
The Saint Thaddeus Monastery
The Armenian monasteries of Iran have borne continuous testimony,
since the origins of Christianity and certainly since the 7th century,
to Armenian culture in its relations and contact with the Persian
and later the Iranian civilizations. They bear testimony to a very
large and refined panorama of architectural and decorative content
associated with Armenian culture, in interaction with other regional
cultures: Byzantine, Orthodox, Assyrian, Persian and Muslim.
The monasteries have survived some 2,000 years of destruction, both
of human origin and as a result of natural disasters. They have been
rebuilt several times in a spirit in keeping with Armenian cultural
traditions. Today they are the only important vestiges of Armenian
culture in this region. Saint-Thaddeus, the presumed location of the
tomb of the apostle of Jesus Christ, St. Thaddeus, has always been a
place of high spiritual value for Christians and other inhabitants
in the region. It is still today a living place of pilgrimage for
the Armenian Church.
The state party has made a remarkable long-term effort regarding
the restoration and conservation of the Armenian monastic ensembles
in Iran. Their integrity and authenticity are satisfactory, and this
includes the Chapel of Dzordzor, which (because of a dam construction
project) was moved and then rebuilt with an evident concern to retain
authenticity.
The legal protection in place is adequate. The monastic ensemble
is currently in a good state of conservation. The management plan
provides the necessary guarantees for the long-term conservation of
the property and the expression of its outstanding universal value.
(Source: UNESCO)
The Saint Thaddeus Monastery The famous and marvelous monastic
complex of St. Thaddeus is located in the mountainous area of western
Azerbaidjan Province. It is perched on a mountain ridge beside a stream
sunken into the rock, thus giving it a natural fortified position.
The outline of it, placed on gently rolling hills, stands out sharply
against the vastness of the horizon. Sourb Thade (St. Thaddeus)
or Kara-Kilise (the black church) as it is called by the people of
Northern Iran, forms a harmonious, integral part with its surroundings
both in the material with which it is constructed, and in its form.
The location of the monastery was surely chosen for strategic reasons,
for it was built during a period when neighboring peoples seriously
threatened it.
The thick walls around the monastery, also, had an important defensive
function during sieges, and the complex was built especially to
withstand them. It is situated within a natural circle of mountains,
a short distance from a river. Wells drilled within the enclosure
guaranteed a water supply. The church was surrounded by vast,
fertile fields, quite suitable for farming, and therefore capable
of supplying food for both men and animals. The harvest was well
protected in special storage rooms, thus enabling the monastery to
keep its independence and relative security. Although it is not dated,
according to the legend, the monastery was founded by Apostle Thaddeus
(66AD) on the spot of a former pagan temple.
Time after time it was destroyed by invasions, and struck by
earthquakes, the most devastating of which occurred in 1319. The
monastery was rebuild, and further renewed and enlarged during the
course of the following centuries. Most of the present structure dates
from the early 19th century when Qajar prince Abbas Mirza 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 two other Armenian monuments located in
the same province: Saint Stepanos Monastery and the chapel of Dzordzor.