Armenian residences of Tehran and Esfahan started 2012 in their churches.

New Year celebration in Saint Serkis Church in Tehran

Armenian residences of Iran moved to Iran in 1605 when Shah Abbas was ruling over the country. Most of the Armenian immigrants settled in the cities of Tehran, Esfahan, Azerbaijan-Sharghi and Azerbaijan-Gharbi and today their seeds continue to live there.

The New Year celebrations is being held every year in greatest and the most beautiful churches of Iran such as Vank Church located at Armenian neighborhood in Jolfa in Esfahan. However, Farsi-speaking Christians are being closely watched by security agents of the Intelligence office.

So, having such celebrations is almost impossible for them. There are some regulations and conditions, pre-written by Ministry of Intelligence which is given to the church authorities. Such instructions make it difficult for Farsi-Speaking believers to enter the churches, especially in this period of the year. Other Farsi-speaking Christians, mostly converted from Islam, who don't make it to the churches gather in their house churches and hold their New Year celebration in silence together with other fellow believers.