Beyond Araxes: The Hidden World of Persian Armenia

Karo Sahakyan / PAN Photo Agency

More than 200 Armenian churches and monasteries are known to be situated on the territory of Iran, some of which were built in the once Armenian-populated provinces of historic Armenia, while others were erected on Iran's territory by the powerful medieval Armenian community.The churches of New Julfa (Isfahan) and Tehran, as well as the Monastery of Saint Thaddeus and a number of other monuments boast specific architectural peculiarities and unique interior. Several remarkable Armenian structures (St. Thaddeus Monastery, Monastery of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, Church Tsortsor, Shepherd Church) in Iran’s north - on the right bank of River Araks which once hosted Armenian-populated provinces - were in 2008 listed among UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and were later renovated and restored by the government of the Islamic Republic. With support from the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, PAN Photo has toured Iran and photographed some of the Armenian churches and their elements.

Dome of the Bethlehem church (Bedkhem Church), New Julfa, Isfahan, 1628. The church is known for as many as 70 exquisite frescoes and geometric and floral ornaments, authored by famous 17th century artists Minas and Astvatsatur (the latter is most probab

Frescoes of the Bethlehem church, New Julfa, Isfahan, 1628.

A fresco fragment, St. Mary Church, New Julfa, Isfahan, 1613, Illustrations - 1666

St. Mary Church, New Julfa, Isfahan, 1613, Illustrations - 1666

A fresco fragment, St. Mary Church, New Julfa, Isfahan, 1613, Illustrations - 1666

St. Mary Church, New Julfa, Isfahan, 1613, Illustrations - 1666

The Surp Amenaprkich Cathedral (the Holy Savior Cathedral), was founded in 1606 and named after the homonymous church in Old Jugha. In 1655-1664, the double-domed Cathedral of St Hovsep Haremtatsi was built on the site of the old church. In 1636, abbot an

Tombstone, St Hovsep church, Isfahan

The dome of St Hovsep church of Surp Amenaprkich Cathedral. In 17-18th centuries, the church was decorated with frescoes, floral ornaments, while the lower section was also adorned with colored tiles, influenced by Islamic art.

Inside the tabernacle of St Hovsep church, Isfahan

St Hovsep church, Surp Amenaprkich Cathedral. The unique style of the frescoes is a successful combination of principles of Armenian traditional miniature art, classical European painting and Islamic Persian decorative arts.

Surp Amenaprkich Cathedral, founded in 1606

St Hovsep church, Surp Amenaprkich Cathedral. Biblical frescoes, as well as those depicting the activity of Gregory the Illuminator were created by 18th century artists Minas, Hovhannes Mrkuz Jughayetsi, Father Stepanos and others

The dome of St Hovsep church, series of paintings “The Expulsion from Paradise,” Surp Amenaprkich Cathedral

Segment of the fresco “The Last Judgement”(1669), St Hovsep church, Surp Amenaprkich Cathedral

Fresco, St Hovsep church, Surp Amenaprkich Cathedral

St Hovsep church, Surp Amenaprkich Cathedral

Tombstone, Surp Amenaprkich Cathedral

The dome of St Hovsep church, Surp Amenaprkich Cathedral

A manuscript kept in the depository of Surp Amenaprkich Cathedral

Tombstone, Armenian cemetery of New Julfa

Tombstones, Armenian cemetery of New Julfa

Tombstone, Armenian cemetery of New Julfa

The altar of Surp Asdvadzadzin church, 1662, Shiraz. Harutyun Shmavonyan, founder and editor of the first Armenian journal "Azdarar" (1794-1796) served as a priest at the church in Shiraz.

“Emblems of Armenian Kings” - symbolic emblem representing the future of Armenian statehood, 19th century, Surp Asdvadzadzin church of Shiraz

Armenian cemetery of Tehran

A damaged tombstone, Armenian cemetery of Tehran

Armenian cemetery of Tehran

Surp Sarkis Church, Khoy, 1120

Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, 7th century, rebuilt in 1814, Northern Iran (historic province of Artaz, Vaspurakan)

High relief, Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, 7th century, rebuilt in 1814, Northern Iran (historic province of Artaz, Vaspurakan)

The panorama of Monastery of Saint Thaddeus

High relief featuring an emblem, Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, 7th century, rebuilt in 1814, Northern Iran (historic province of Artaz, Vaspurakan)

Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, 7th century, rebuilt in 1814, Northern Iran (historic province of Artaz, Vaspurakan)

Figurative relief in the form of the sun disc, Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, 7th century, rebuilt in 1814, Northern Iran (historic province of Artaz, Vaspurakan)

Chapel, Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, 7th century, rebuilt in 1814, Northern Iran (historic province of Artaz, Vaspurakan)

High relief, Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, 7th century, rebuilt in 1814, Northern Iran (historic province of Artaz, Vaspurakan)

Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, eastern facade of the old church

Remains of a wine press, Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, 7th century, rebuilt in 1814, Northern Iran (historic province of Artaz, Vaspurakan)

High reliefs, Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, 7th century, rebuilt in 1814, Northern Iran (historic province of Artaz, Vaspurakan)

Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, 7th century, rebuilt in 1814, Northern Iran (historic province of Artaz, Vaspurakan)

Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, figurative reliefs of the new church (early 19th century)

The Shepherd Church, Old Julfa, 16th century, renovated in the 19th century and 2014

The Shepherd Church, Old Julfa, 16th century,renovated in the 19th century and 2014

Monastery of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, (Maghardavank), 7-10th centuries

Khachkars and high reliefs, Monastery of St. Stephen the Protomartyr (Maghardavank), 7-10th centuries

Monastery of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, (Maghardavank), 7-10th centuries

Belfry, Monastery of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, (Maghardavank), 7-10th centuries

The curved wooden door of the Monastery of St. Stephen the Protomartyr (7-10th centuries)

Figurative reliefs of 12 Apostles on the drum of Monastery of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, (Maghardavank), 7-10th centuries

The dome of the Monastery of St. Stephen the Protomartyr (7-10th centuries)

The altar of the Monastery of St. Stephen the Protomartyr (7-10th centuries)

The high relief “The Stoning of Stephen the Martyr” on the eastern facade of the Monastery of St. Stephen the Protomartyr (7-10th centuries)

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