TEHRAN – St. Thaddeus Church, also known as Qareh Klise (“the Black Church”), a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Chaldoran, northwest Iran, is set to host the 70th annual Badarak ritual from October 13 to 15.

The church, believed to be one of the oldest in the Christian world, holds special significance for the Armenian community as the burial site of St. Thaddeus, one of the apostles.

The sacred observance, which is a UNESCO-registered intangible heritage shared by Iran and Armenia, is expected to draw more than three thousand pilgrims from Iran and worldwide.

Traditionally, Christians from Iran, Armenia, Syria, Lebanon, the Netherlands, France, Austria, Germany, and Canada, among other countries gather at the church to celebrate the ritual.

Iranian-Armenians pilgrims mostly come from Tabriz, Urmia, Tehran, Isfahan, and Qazvin, accompanied by their families, pitching tents around the church grounds and participating in prayers, candle-lighting, and the ritual sacrifice of sheep for vows.

The Governor of Chaldoran, Mohammadreza Abdollahnejad, has announced that the county is fully prepared to host the event, IRNA reported on Tuesday.

Traditionally, Christians from Iran, Armenia, Syria, Lebanon, the Netherlands, France, Austria, Germany, and Canada, among other countries gather at the church to celebrate the ritual.“In close collaboration with the local Christian diocese, we have established a mobile clinic, deployed road emergency teams, fire and road safety crews, and arranged food stalls to ensure the safety and comfort of the pilgrims,” Abdollahnejad said.

They say the three-day ritual, which is one of the holy sacraments of Christianity, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His disciples.

The baptism of children along with performances of traditional songs and dances are among the highlights of the pilgrimage. Besides, participants commemorate the martyrdom of St. Thaddeus, one of the twelve disciples, killed while he was preaching the Gospel. The legend says a church dedicated to him was first built in 68 CE there, where Qareh Klise is standing. Thaddeus was an apostle of Christ, and the ceremony is rooted in the last supper with Jesus Christ on the night of his arrest and execution by the Roman soldiers.

According to IRNA, the gathering of thousands of pilgrims at this ancient church is not only a testament to the site’s enduring religious significance but also a powerful reminder of Iran’s historical role as a crossroads of faith and culture. “This year’s event will once again demonstrate the country’s commitment to religious freedom and cultural diversity, as it continues to provide a safe and open environment for religious observances.”

St. Thaddeus, together with St. Stepanos Monastery and the Chapel of Dzordzor, were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2008 under the name “Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran.” All three sites are located in West Azarbaijan province and are of high significance from historical and cultural perspectives.

As mentioned by UNESCO, these churches are examples of the outstanding universal value of Armenian architectural and decorative traditions in Iran.

AM