Holy Shoghakat Church

The Holy Shoghakat Church stands at the end of Shahnaz Street, next to the former Khosravi Leather Factory and the Tabriz Islamic Art University. It is one of the most outstanding religious and cultural landmarks of the Armenian community in the city. The church was built in 1940 (1319 in the Solar Hijri calendar) by Simon Manouchehrian, an Armenian merchant and the manager of a leather factory, in the Armenian cemetery of Tabriz. He built it in memory of his mother, Shoghakat, a name that was also borne by one of the holy Christian nuns.

The Holy Shoghakat Church is built in the basilica style, with the entrance on the west side and, opposite it, the altar and two symmetrically placed side chambers. In the church hall, four square columns stand at the center of the building, dividing the space into two sections on either side of the columns and one section between them. The exterior of the building is made of dressed stone, with semicircular and elliptical arches on the north, south and west sides. This design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, providing a suitable space for religious ceremonies and burials.

On 24 Mehr 1386, the body of Nshan Topouzian, the Armenian Archbishop of Tabriz, was buried in front of the church's entrance, which has given this place special importance for the Armenians of Tabriz. The church is very easy to reach by taxi or public transport in Tabriz's historic district. The nearest bus stop is close by, and walking through the historic part of the city makes the church easy to visit. It is recommended to visit the church in spring or autumn, when the weather in Tabriz is mild and pleasant. Cultural and history-minded visitors who observe religious etiquette, keep the site clean and show respect for this sacred building can enjoy a peaceful and informative experience.