کلیسا

From Greek ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia, "assembly, congregation"), entering Persian via Syriac. Iran has been home to Christian communities since the 1st century CE, Armenian, Assyrian (Church of the East), and Catholic. The کلیسای وانک (Vank Cathedral) in New Julfa, Isfahan, built in the 17th century by Armenians resettled by Shah Abbas, is a masterpiece of Persian-Armenian architectural fusion. Iran's constitution recognizes Armenian and Assyrian Christians as protected minorities with parliamentary representation.