The annual ceremony known as Badarak is being held at Qara Kelisa Church with the presence of a large number of Armenians of Iran and the world, including Armenians of West Azarbaijan, East Azarbaijan, Isfahan, Tehran and elsewhere in Iran.
The ceremony which was also attended by a number of Armenians from Australia, Eastern Europe, Armenia, Turkey and the US was held to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Saint Thaddeus, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him).
During the ceremony, in which over five thousands Armenians participated, the worshippers marked the day by performing different religious practices, including sacrificing sheep, lightening candles, baptism of infants, etc.
Archbishop Gregor Cheftchian, head of the Azarbaijan Armenian Archdiocese called the Islamic Iran as a country of peace, friendship and supporter of human rights.
He said in the light of the guidelines of the Supreme Leader and sympathy of the Iranian nation, all ethnic groups and religions are living a sincere life together in the country.
He said after the victory of the Revolution, the ceremony is magnificently observed each year which is an indication of the attention that officials pay to the right of religious minorities.
Qara Kelisa (Black Church) or Thaddeus Church which has been registered as the ninth international work is known among world Armenians as the Saint Thaddeus. The church is the oldest in the Christian world and dates back to the 7th and 12th centuries.
Chalderan is situated 220 km north of Urmiya, capital city of West Azarbaijan Province.
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Publish Date: 26 July 2015 - 14:46
Orumiya, W Azarbaijan, July 26, IRNA – Thousands of Iranian and world Christians observed Badarak ceremony in the historic sacred Thaddeus Church in Chalderan city.