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But Iran said this medieval Armenian church in a mountainous region close to Turkey and Armenia shows that it observes the rights of other faiths.
It denies the charges of old adversary of the United States that Iran distinguishes between Christians and other religious minorities. The Armenian bishop in Tehran told Reuters during a conversation that this was "an invention".
The mainly Shi'ite Muslim country has requested that Qara Kelisa, or Black Church, which is recognized as a World Heritage site of the UN, as Persepolis and other archaeological treasures.
"It is the symbol of coexistence of different religions and ethnicities," said defender of the environment Khosro Farri of the organization for tourism, cultural heritage and craft work of Iran.
The number of Christians and Jews in Iran has declined since the Islamic revolution of 1979 and those minorities are reluctant to speak out when they are asked how the authorities treat them.
But many Armenians in this region of the northwest have told us that they were treated like any other Iranian.
"I have no problems living here," said Aldagesh Malik, an Armenian village due to Gardabad, about three hours south of the church.
His village was in the habit of having a predominantly Armenian population, but many have migrated in search of a better future in the cities of Iran or abroad-some have gone to the United States.
Sitting and chatting with a neighbor Muslim, Malik said, "our religion does not make a difference. Nous sommes tous des amis ยป. We are all friends. "
GUARDS MUSLIMS
The Black Church takes its name from the volcanic rock used in the 14th century during its construction after a oldest was destroyed by an earthquake.
The Armenians believe that one of the apostles of Jesus, St Jude, was tortured and then buried where the church is now built. Its distinctive tower and black stripes and white is visible from afar.
The church is now mostly empty his fans - two Christians, Sunni Muslims in a village nearby the Kurdish - but keep thousands of Armenians from all over the world gather here every summer for the festivities to commemorate their patron saint is also known as Thaddeus.
Officially named St Thaddeus, the willingness of iran to include the church in the legacy of the World, said Farri, a sign of his respect for other religions. He said that pilgrims Armenians in the site is "completely free to do what they want."
Amnesty International this year said that the minorities in Iran were subject to the laws and discriminatory practices.
But Sebouh Sarkissian, Armenian archbishop of Tehran, has rejected such allegations as "qu'invention the West."
"People always come and ask: is there of discrimination in this country?" Said the prelate in black dress in her office next to the Armenian Cathedral in the capital of Iran. "I can tell you that I felt the same discrimination in the United States, even in Europe."
DECREASE IN COMMUNITY
They assigned two seats in the parliament of 290 seats and can educate their children in the Armenian language. They can even make and drink alcohol at home - a practice forbidden for Muslims.
However, the community has continued to decline since the Islamic revolution there almost three decades. Estimated at several hundred thousand, it is only now boasts about 100000 souls Sarkissian said citing data from the official news agency IRNA.
"The migration process of the Armenian community began even before the revolution," he said.
Not particularly to Iran and Iranian society. Even the Iranian emigrate to this country, not only Christians, not only Armenians."
He acknowledged that Armenians in Iran could face problems: for example, schools must employ Armenian religious book prepared by the government. But he praised authorities in their search for the status of World Heritage for the Black Church and its renovation for that purpose.
A section of a light color of the church has been added there 200 years. The Saints killing dragons and devils and other patterns were carved into the white stone.
By visiting a nearby city, Kheyrollah Mahmoudi said his grandmother and other Armenians fleeing from Turkey hid there nine decades ago.
"They were all afraid of being killed," said Mahmoudi, remembering standing old stories while watching the church in the sunlight. "It's like a film before my eyes."
Posted November 17th, 2007 by Hye
