Saint Mary Church of Tabriz

Saint Mary Church, Holy Mother of God Church or Surp Mariam Asdvadzadzin Church (Armenian: Թավրիզի Սուրբ Մարիամ Աստվածածին եկեղեցի, T’avrizhi Surb Mariam Astvatsatsin yekeghets’i, Persian: کلیسای مریم مقدس) is an Armenian Apostolic church in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran completed in 1785. It is the largest and oldest Christian church in Tabriz and a notable centre for Armenian national and religious ceremonies held by the Armenian community of Tabriz.

Location
The church is located at the corner of North Shariati (north Shahnaz) and Jomhuri avenues in the historical Dik Bashi neighborhood in the center of Tabriz. For many years, Saint Mary's served as the seat of the Azarbaijan Armenian archbishop. It is a handsomely built edifice, with annex buildings sprawled over a large area. A board of Armenian peers governs the well-attended church. The Tabriz Armenian Museum next to the church is run by the Armenian Prelacy of Tabriz.

History
An older church was built at this site in the 12th century AD (6th century AH). In his travel chronicles, Marco Polo, who traveled through Tabriz around 1275 AD, mentions this church on his way to China.

The oldest gravestone in this church dates back to the 16th century AD. The church has a stone hinge that according to the decor, the type of arch and the architectural features can be attributed to the 13th century AD (7th century AH) and the period of the Mongolian Ilkhan in Iran. According to an inscription, the church – as well as the whole city – was destroyed in a disastrous earthquake in 1780 AD, and the present building was built on its ruins from 1782 to 1785 in Safavid style.

Architecture
The church is 16 meters long and 14 meters wide. The belfry standing on four square columns in the middle of the church has four arches with biblical painting between the columns.

The tabernacle of the church was built in the style of Armenian architecture, parts of which can be dated back to the 12th century AD. The base of the church was made of limestone. The walls and pillars are of stone and brick, the vault of brick.