iran esfahan vank cathedral1

Holy Savior Cathedral, also known as Vank Cathedral, is a cathedral in Isfahan. (Vank means "cathedral" in the Armenian language). The Vank Cathedral was one of the first churches to be established in the city's Jolfa district by Armenian immigrants settled by Shah Abbas I after the Ottoman War of 1603-1605.

The interior is covered with fine paintings and gilded carvings and includes a wainscot of rich tile work. The delicately blue and gold painted central dome depicts the Biblical story of creation of the world and man's expulsion from Eden. Pendentives throughout the church are painted with a distinctly Armenian motif of a cherub's head surrounded by folded wings.

A memorial has been set up in memory of the victims of the Ottoman massacre. Every year on April 23 Armenians gather by the memorial to light candles in honor of their martyrs.  The Vank museum also houses an extensive collection of photographs, maps, and Turkish documents related to the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman kings. 

Sound: Iranian Christian Worship Song

Iran

Text: InternetPictures: Vank CathedralArangement: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda