Marian devotion
The Qara Kelisa: Iran's Black Church
Chaldoran, Iran
The most important Armenian monastery in Iran, dedicated to St. Tadeo.
The Qara Kelisa (Black Church) is an Armenian monastery in the north-west of Iran. According to tradition, it was built in the first century by St. Tadeo, one of the apostles.
History of the monastery
The monastery has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries. The current structure dates back to the 19th century. Every year, thousands of Armenians pilgrim the Qara Kelisa to celebrate the feast of St. Tadeo.
The Virgin Mary is venerated with St. Tadeo as a protector of the Christians of Iran. Tradition tells that the Virgin appeared in the monastery to comfort the Armenians who suffered persecution.
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