TEHRAN (Mehr News Agency) -- The province of West Azerbaijan, part of an ancient territory dating back to the third millennium BC, is home to important remnants of early Christian civilization.

The region in western Iran, particularly West Azerbaijan was one of the ancient centers for the spreading of Christianity in the past. Evidence of this can be seen in more than 100 churches of varying sizes, 32 of which have enjoyed worldwide renown.

The cities of the north of West Azerbaijan, Maku, Chaldoran, Khoy, and Salmas are home to eight important churches. Urumiyeh, by itself, possesses 15 important historical churches. However, no churches of note are to be found in the south of the province.

The city of Urumiyeh includes the churches of Peter and Paul, Margiorkiss, Mary (three in her name), Mar Tuma, Mar Sirkiss, Mar Youkhsar, Mar Daniel, Mar Sirishu’, Mar Gioudkiss, Mar Youna, and a synagogue. The town of Khoy contains the churches of Qarebagh, Mesrop Sarkiss, Fonai, Mehlzan and Qariss. Maku is home to the church of St Mary and St Thaddeus.

Some of the churches of West Azerbaijan including two churches in Urumiyeh have been continually practicing Christianity. But some of the churches including three important ones in the village of Sa’atlu still welcome foreign Christians only once a year. Some others, such as the church of Thaddeus, Maku welcomes international representatives of Christianity on certain days, while both local and foreign tourists can tour them over the course of the year. DFM/SRM/IS END MNA