TEHRAN Tehran Mayor Morteza Alviri here on Friday evening attended a Christian ceremony commemorating the birth anniversary and baptism of Jesus Christ (AS).

Addressing a group of Armenians gathered in church, he congratulated all followers of Jesus Christ within the Islamic Republic on the auspicious occasion.

He stressed that the Christian New Year enjoys special significance, that is, its coincidence with the beginning of the third millennium.

As to the poor record of morality and spirituality in the second millennium, Alviri expressed his hope that defects would be corrected in the new millennium.

He further expressed his hope that the Armenian minority in Iran would attain more success and that as mayor he would be able to continue providing good service to its members.

Referring to the numerous problems facing Tehran municipality, Alviri called for the removal of obstacles in the way of development of the Iranian capital city.

Also addressing the gathering, Bishop Sepuh Sarkissian, the religious head of Tehran's Armenian Community, congratulated all Iranians of the country on the advent of Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy Muslim month of Ramazan.

Religious ceremonies as aforestated, he said, are commemorated to establish closer friendship among followers of divine religions.

During the ceremony, the Armenian bishop prayed for good health and success for the leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, President Mohammad Khatami, and other officials of the Islamic Republic.

(IRNA)