What is Badarak and Where is it Held?
Badarak at Qara Kelisa: A Unique Armenian Pilgrimage in Iran
Badarak, or the Pilgrimage of St. Thaddeus Church, is a significant religious ceremony for Armenians, listed as part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This sacred ritual, also known as Divine Liturgy, takes place at the historic St. Thaddeus Church (Qara Kelisa) and is celebrated annually on the anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Thaddeus, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The ceremony brings together Armenians from various countries to Qara Kelisa in Chaldoran every year, particularly on the anniversary of St. Thaddeus’s martyrdom.
Contents
Significance of Badarak
Badarak is one of the most important ceremonies for religious minorities in Iran. It is held every year in early August at Qara Kelisa, a remarkable site in West Azerbaijan, attracting Armenians from different cities in Iran and around the world. This three-day event allows participants to learn more about Armenian faith and culture within the context of the broader Iranian and Armenian cultural region. Notably, participation in this ceremony is exclusively allowed for Armenians.
IRAN GROUP TOURS
Join our Iran tours, connecting you with like-minded travelers and streamlining the organization process.
Iran 7-Day Tour
€960 | Early Bird €860
Iran 9-Day Tour
€1,100 | Early Bird €860
Iran 15-Day Tour
€1,690 | Early Bird €1,520
Everything You Need to Know About Badarak
Badarak, also known as the Divine Liturgy or the Pilgrimage of St. Thaddeus, is a religious tradition carried out by a group of religious minorities in Iran. Every year, Armenians from around the globe travel to Qara Kelisa, one of Iran’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed churches in West Azerbaijan. Some believe it to be one of the world’s first churches.
When and Where is Badarak Celebrated?
Badarak is held every year in the first week of August. During this religious ceremony, Armenian Christians from Iran and other countries, along with a few ambassadors from Christian nations in Iran, and even some Assyrians and Catholic families, gather at Qara Kelisa. The pilgrimage site, Qara Kelisa, becomes the meeting place for about 5,000 Armenians annually. In addition to Armenians, some Assyrian and Catholic families also participate in the festival.
One of the cherished customs during the three-day pilgrimage is the baptism of Armenian children and teenagers in the church. Many believe that baptizing their children at the first church of Jesus Christ and the martyrdom site of one of his apostles brings blessings. Therefore, the age of those baptized can range from infants to 15 and even 20 years old.
The length of stay for families at Qara Kelisa varies. It is customary to stay there for three days (from the 1st to the 3rd of August). However, those traveling from farther away may stay longer, while those from nearby cities may only stay for the second day.
The Badarak Ceremony
The religious ceremony of Badarak is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Badarak is not just a religious gathering; it combines religious, ethnic, and traditional motivations with social activities like family reunions, leisure, travel, and enjoying the pleasant summer climate.
On December 17, 2020, the pilgrimage ceremony of St. Thaddeus Church was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list as a joint file with Armenia. Thus, Badarak is the 16th intangible cultural heritage of Iran to be registered by UNESCO.
Where is Badarak Held?
Address: West Azerbaijan Province, 20 km northeast of Chaldoran, Qara Kelisa Village (see map).
Qara Kelisa is located 20 km northeast of Chaldoran in West Azerbaijan Province. The church is known for its white and black stones and beautiful domes, and it is also referred to as Maku, St. Tadeh, St. Thaddeus Church, or Tatavous Church. Upon reaching Qara Kelisa, visitors encounter a sign reflecting the efforts of the local community to promote interfaith harmony:
“We sing the hymn of the unity of religions here.”
A Brief History of Qara Kelisa
Qara Kelisa, one of the oldest churches in the world, symbolizes interfaith coexistence and is recognized as the first Christian church. According to Movses Khorenatsi, a famous 5th-century Armenian historian, the construction of Qara Kelisa dates back to the early period of Christianity. This historian believes the church was built on the tomb of St. Thaddeus, one of the first Christian evangelists. Khorenatsi asserts that the long history of this church is evidenced by the repeated mentions of St. Thaddeus Church in various writings, especially in Armenian religious assemblies since 1243 AD.
Qara Kelisa has been damaged and restored several times throughout history due to earthquakes, fires, and other reasons. It was registered on the National Heritage List of Iran on January 31, 1956, with the registration number 405. Additionally, the Qara Kelisa complex, which includes three main churches (Qara Kelisa or St. Thaddeus, St. Stepanos Jolfa, and Zorzor Maku), was inscribed as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008, to preserve the oldest and most prominent Armenian architectural symbols.
Restoration Projects and Future Plans
The latest restoration project of Qara Kelisa began several years ago. It includes landscaping, restoring platforms and damaged walls, renovating worn-out stone floors, installing and wiring new facilities, replacing old water heaters, and introducing new tourist facilities like the internationally registered Sandokht Mausoleum and Qara Kelisa’s Oil Mill. During the Badarak 2022 ceremony, these newly developed features will be introduced.
Additional preparations by the West Azerbaijan Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization for the 68th Annual Badarak Ceremony include installing information boards, designing and installing wooden portable booths for selling handicrafts, purchasing and setting up two large tents, fumigating camping grounds, and preparing the land for tent settlements. The organization also plans to build 20 local eco-lodges within 1,000 square meters near the Qara Kelisa World Heritage Site with private sector investment. This project is expected to start after Badarak 2022 and finish by the end of the year, attracting more tourists to the World Heritage Site.
Customs of Badarak
Badarak is held annually on June 26th (early August) to commemorate the martyrdom of St. Thaddeus and his followers. The ceremony dates back to 1954 when a group from the Armenian Archbishopric of Tabriz first visited Qara Kelisa for a religious ceremony. Since then, Badarak has been held every year with the participation of Armenians from various countries worldwide.
Historical Background: St. Thaddeus
St. Thaddeus (St. Thaddeus) or Tatavous (Tataus) and St. Bartholomew were apostles of Jesus Christ who came to Iran between 40-43 AD (during the Parthian rule) from the northwest to promote Christianity. They arrived in a city called Ardaz or Artaz (current Chaldoran area), then under the rule of King Abgar of Armenia. At that time, many Armenians followed Zoroastrianism, and some were Mithraic.
Book Services, Pay Online
The Site of Qara Kelisa
Qara Kelisa was built on the tomb of St. Thaddeus. After converting many people, including the king, to Christianity, a conflict erupted when King Sanadroog succeeded King Abgar and ordered the execution of all Christians (about 3,500 people), including Santdokht, the king’s daughter. These Christians were buried in the Qara Kelisa area.
Centuries later, during the reign of King Tiridates III (one of the Parthian Armenian kings) in 302 AD, Christianity was declared the official religion of Armenia. Between the 3rd and 6th centuries AD, several churches with black and white stones were built along the route taken by St. Thaddeus and his followers to commemorate their escape from persecution. Qara Kelisa is one of these churches, and Armenians believe the body of St. Thaddeus lies in the crypt to the right of the altar of the current church.
Read More
