05:25*RESTRICTIONS: NO Access Israel Media/Persian Language TV Stations Outside Iran/Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV*
The Armenian diaspora and the Armenian Apostolic Church in Tehran began their Christmas preparations at Saint Sarkis Cathedral on Saturday.
Footage shows church members and churchgoers decorating the Saint Sarkis Cathedral and churchyard with Christmas toys and other Christmas-themed items. Pine trees, red leaves, and Christmas-decorated installations can be seen inside and outside the church.
"There is always a single star on top of the pine trees, a symbol of that single star of three times or three worlds, which led the divine scientist to Bethlehem or the current Jerusalem," said Pastor Saha Khosrovian explaining the reason behind the star on top of the tree.
"The tree itself is a symbol of life and greenness, it does not die and is eternal," he added.
Every year, workers of the church and parishioners begin preparing Christmas decorations 10-20 days before the Christian New Year.
"We enthusiastically decorate the trees and the church and get ready for friends and relatives who come to the church," explained Emma Aiwazian, a member of the board of trustees of Saint Sarkis Cathedral.
Shaki Yahya Mesihii, a resident of Tehran, shared thoughts on Christmas decorations, emphasising the significance of colours. She highlighted how the green hue of pine trees brings joy and happiness, and overall, the vibrant colours in decorations add vitality to lives.
"I wish from the bottom of my heart that this year will be the year that all the people on the planet will be on the same level. May everyone be happy, cheerful, healthy, and laugh," said a resident of Tehran, Sharareh Vahidi, sharing her New Year's wish.
"War and politics are very bad things. We want nothing but happiness of our people, everywhere in the world. Peace, peace and happiness on Earth, everywhere in the world," she added.
Discussing celebrations, Hayrik Aghanian, a member of the Armenian Caliphate Council in Tehran, announced that Armenian churches worldwide will host a special ceremony to usher in the Christian New Year on the first night of January.
The Saint Sarkis Cathedral is also going to host a New Year's celebration on Sunday night. The Cathedral is part of the Armenian Apostolic Church and was first unveiled in 1970.
'We want nothing but happiness' – Armenian Apostolic Church begins Christmas preparations in Tehran
The Armenian diaspora and the Armenian Apostolic Church in Tehran began their Christmas preparations at Saint Sarkis Cathedral on Saturday.
Footage shows church members and churchgoers decorating the Saint Sarkis Cathedral and churchyard with Christmas toys and other Christmas-themed items. Pine trees, red leaves, and Christmas-decorated installations can be seen inside and outside the church.
"There is always a single star on top of the pine trees, a symbol of that single star of three times or three worlds, which led the divine scientist to Bethlehem or the current Jerusalem," said Pastor Saha Khosrovian explaining the reason behind the star on top of the tree.
"The tree itself is a symbol of life and greenness, it does not die and is eternal," he added.
Every year, workers of the church and parishioners begin preparing Christmas decorations 10-20 days before the Christian New Year.
"We enthusiastically decorate the trees and the church and get ready for friends and relatives who come to the church," explained Emma Aiwazian, a member of the board of trustees of Saint Sarkis Cathedral.
Shaki Yahya Mesihii, a resident of Tehran, shared thoughts on Christmas decorations, emphasising the significance of colours. She highlighted how the green hue of pine trees brings joy and happiness, and overall, the vibrant colours in decorations add vitality to lives.
"I wish from the bottom of my heart that this year will be the year that all the people on the planet will be on the same level. May everyone be happy, cheerful, healthy, and laugh," said a resident of Tehran, Sharareh Vahidi, sharing her New Year's wish.
"War and politics are very bad things. We want nothing but happiness of our people, everywhere in the world. Peace, peace and happiness on Earth, everywhere in the world," she added.
Discussing celebrations, Hayrik Aghanian, a member of the Armenian Caliphate Council in Tehran, announced that Armenian churches worldwide will host a special ceremony to usher in the Christian New Year on the first night of January.
The Saint Sarkis Cathedral is also going to host a New Year's celebration on Sunday night. The Cathedral is part of the Armenian Apostolic Church and was first unveiled in 1970.
*RESTRICTIONS: NO Access Israel Media/Persian Language TV Stations Outside Iran/Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV*
The Armenian diaspora and the Armenian Apostolic Church in Tehran began their Christmas preparations at Saint Sarkis Cathedral on Saturday.
Footage shows church members and churchgoers decorating the Saint Sarkis Cathedral and churchyard with Christmas toys and other Christmas-themed items. Pine trees, red leaves, and Christmas-decorated installations can be seen inside and outside the church.
"There is always a single star on top of the pine trees, a symbol of that single star of three times or three worlds, which led the divine scientist to Bethlehem or the current Jerusalem," said Pastor Saha Khosrovian explaining the reason behind the star on top of the tree.
"The tree itself is a symbol of life and greenness, it does not die and is eternal," he added.
Every year, workers of the church and parishioners begin preparing Christmas decorations 10-20 days before the Christian New Year.
"We enthusiastically decorate the trees and the church and get ready for friends and relatives who come to the church," explained Emma Aiwazian, a member of the board of trustees of Saint Sarkis Cathedral.
Shaki Yahya Mesihii, a resident of Tehran, shared thoughts on Christmas decorations, emphasising the significance of colours. She highlighted how the green hue of pine trees brings joy and happiness, and overall, the vibrant colours in decorations add vitality to lives.
"I wish from the bottom of my heart that this year will be the year that all the people on the planet will be on the same level. May everyone be happy, cheerful, healthy, and laugh," said a resident of Tehran, Sharareh Vahidi, sharing her New Year's wish.
"War and politics are very bad things. We want nothing but happiness of our people, everywhere in the world. Peace, peace and happiness on Earth, everywhere in the world," she added.
Discussing celebrations, Hayrik Aghanian, a member of the Armenian Caliphate Council in Tehran, announced that Armenian churches worldwide will host a special ceremony to usher in the Christian New Year on the first night of January.
The Saint Sarkis Cathedral is also going to host a New Year's celebration on Sunday night. The Cathedral is part of the Armenian Apostolic Church and was first unveiled in 1970.