The churches of Eastern Assyria in Urmia

Urmia is the capital of West Azerbaijan Province in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which borders East Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and Zanjan provinces, and is the 13th largest province in Iran. The province consists of various administrative units such as Amel, Silvane, Sumaye Beradust, Nazli, Kuscu, Sero, and Nushinshahr, in addition to Urmia itself. The ethnic composition of West Azerbaijan is made up of various groups including Azeris, Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, and Persians, reflecting the region's cultural diversity and historical depth. The Eastern Syriacs, referred to by various names such as Nestorian and Chaldean, exhibit a range of sectarian and cultural differences within themselves. In scholarly studies of Assyrians and Chaldeans, two main terms emerge. The first is "Nestorian," which refers to a group that developed an independent religious identity within Christianity according to their specific doctrinal beliefs. The other term is the more general "Eastern Syriacs," which is used to describe a holistic group of Eastern Christianity, encompassing both Nestorians and Chaldeans. The Chaldeans, on the other hand, are defined as a group of Nestorian/Assyrian people who, in the 16th century, chose to affiliate with the Catholic Church. In this context, the Chaldean identity differs from the Nestorian identity, though both groups share a common cultural and religious heritage. The churches of the Eastern Syriacs, being adherents of Nestorian teachings, have been referred to by various names. These include Iranian Churches, Nestorian Churches, Assyrian Churches, Eastern Churches, and Eastern Syriac Churches. The term "Iranian Church" refers to the geographical origin of this religious tradition, which is Iran; however, it is evident that this designation cannot be limited to Iran alone. Before the influence of Western missionary activities, Christianity had spread across a vast geographical area, reaching Central Asia, China, Tibet, South India, and Arabia. This demonstrates that these churches had a much broader influence than simply being tied to Iran. Following the invasions of Timur in the 14th century, which threatened the Christian communities in the region, Assyrians and Chaldeans sought a safer place to settle. During this period, they moved to the mountainous regions between Urmia and Lake Van. However, it is not possible to pinpoint the exact period during which these settlements occurred. Over time, these communities, originally from the Hakkari mountains, settled in the Urmia Plain, but the precise historical period of this migration remains uncertain. In the 19th century, American missionaries established hospitals, schools, and printing presses in the region with the goal of converting Urmia's Assyrians to their churches, thereby influencing the religious and social structure of the area. This study investigates nine Eastern Assyrian (Syriac) churches located within the boundaries of Urmia Province, examining their architectural plans, spatial understanding, architectural elements, construction techniques, materials used, and decorative features. Based on the findings, a comparison has been made with Nestorian Churches in Turkey to identify similarities and differences between the church structures in both regions. The results of the research indicate that the Eastern Assyrian (Syriac) Churches in Urmia Province show significant differences when compared to similar structures in Turkey. Particularly, geographical and cultural factors have led to notable changes in the plans, architectural elements, and decorative features. The Eastern Assyrian (Syriac) Churches appear to have been heavily influenced by the religious elements of the Catholic denomination. These influences are visible in the architectural features of the churches, such as the bell tower, the projection of the apse, and the pointed or round-arched windows. Additionally, liturgical religious artifacts and tombs found in the churches also demonstrate the influence of Catholic liturgical practices on the Eastern Assyrian (Syriac) Churches in Urmia. Keywords: Nestorian, Christian, Orthodox, Urmia, Iran, Sassanid