ST. STEPHANOS CHURCH IN IRANIAN BORDER

St. stephanos church is located at 16 kilometers west of jolfa with the distance of 3 kilometers by the arax river. the name of the church is driven from the name of the first martyr of the christian world. the church situated in a fortified region, too. opinions differ about the date of construction, some believe that the original building constructed in the beginning of the christianity. the monument has been constructed of 3 parts. church, chapel, and daniel’s fireplace. the rampart gate located on the west wall. visitors can go to the monasteries through a passage on the south and it is possible to go inside the church from north. stable and barn situated on the east. inside the church is in the shape of cross composed of porch, chapel and alter. 16th and 17th centuries painting style ornamented beneath of the chief dome locating at the end of the alter the exterior walls ornamented with some delicate relif of stoning the holy stephanos to death on the east, crossing the christ and his asscenson.