Iran's Christian minorities call for magnificent funeral for Martyr Leader

Members of the Armenian Catholic community, alongside Assyrian Christians, have called for a magnificent funeral procession for the martyred Leader and reaffirmed their loyalty to the Islamic Revolution, saying the Leader's martyrdom has only strengthened national unity.

The Christian communities joined other religious minorities across Iran in mourning the loss of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was martyred on Feb. 28 in a US-Israeli terrorist strike targeting his residence in Tehran.

Describing his loss as a "great tragedy in Iran's history," Armenian Christians in Mazandaran expressed their condolences and pledged to remain steadfast in their commitment to the country.

"We, the Armenian Christian community of Iran residing in Mazandaran, share in the grief of the nation," a community statement said.

"The loss of the Eminent Leader is a great tragedy in Iran's history. We pray for his soul and call on all Iranians to participate in a magnificent funeral procession to honor his memory."

The Armenian community's call for unity was echoed by Zaya Allahverdi, head of the Assyrian Association in Urmia, who emphasized that the Iranian nation has proven its unwavering loyalty to the Leader and the Revolution during the recent war.

"The Iranian people have shown that they remain faithful to the martyred Leader until their last breath," Allahverdi said in an interview with IRNA. "This historic and epic event has astonished the world."

Allahverdi said the funeral procession will demonstrate the unity of the Iranian people as an "impenetrable barrier against threats and the divisive plots of enemies."

"The enemy, through its faulty analyses, claimed there was no bond between the people, the system and the martyred Leader. But the recent war proved this assumption false."

The Assyrian leader also recalled the martyred Leader's role in fostering interfaith harmony, noting that his visits to the homes of Christian martyrs have left an indelible mark on minority communities.

"The Leader's visits to the families of Christian martyrs were among the most beautiful memories we have," Allahverdi said.

"These gestures astonished the world and proved that the status of followers of divine religions and various ethnic groups in Iran is equal."

Armenian Christians in Mazandaran echoed the sentiment, saying the Leader's presence in the homes of Christian martyrs has been a "lasting global model" of respect for religious minorities.

"It was a great honor for us that the Leader of the Islamic Revolution visited the homes of Christian martyrs," they said.

"This showed that he made no distinction between Muslim and Christian martyrs. We believe that free-thinking people abroad have seen and understood this valuable approach."

The Armenian Catholic community, which has long coexisted with Muslims in Mazandaran, has held memorial services for the martyred Leader in recent days.

The community's ties with the Leader were particularly strong, as he had personally visited the "Hayshagen" settlement—a recreational and educational complex built for Armenian Catholics in the city of Royan—and had shown interest in the welfare of the community.

Hayshagen, a 20-hectare complex established in 1970 by Catholicos Nerses Tovosyan, was originally built as a camp for Armenian Catholic students. It has since grown into a permanent settlement with 235 residential units, a church, a school, and recreational facilities.

The complex remains a symbol of interfaith coexistence, where Armenian Catholics freely practice their religious rituals and host community gatherings.

Archbishop Sarkis Davidian, head of the Armenian Catholic Church in Iran, has also offered prayers for the new Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, wishing him health and success.

In a recent sermon, Davidian noted that the coincidence of the Easter holiday with the 40th day of the Leader's martyrdom was a sign of divine mystery.

"Christ is the prophet of peace and friendship for the world," Davidian said. "We pray that God reduces the evil of Iran's enemies and helps the Iranian people on the path of truth and justice."

The mourning across Iran's religious minorities comes as the country prepares for a week of funeral ceremonies for the martyred Leader.

Over 90 countries declare readiness to attend funeral ceremony of martyred Leader

A senior Iranian official says representatives from more than 90 countries are expected to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

According to the headquarters for the commemoration of the Leader's martyrdom, funeral processions and burial ceremonies will be held in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad over five days starting Thursday.

Armenian and Assyrian Christians have said they will participate in the processions alongside their Muslim compatriots, reaffirming their commitment to the Islamic Revolution and the unity of the Iranian nation.

"The people are the main capital of the country," Allahverdi said.

"Throughout history, at critical and decisive moments, despite their different tastes and views, they have always demonstrated their national solidarity. The funeral of the martyred Leader will once again prove the love of the Iranian people for Ayatollah Khamenei."

The Armenian community in Mazandaran also stressed that the enemy had always tried to fuel ethnic differences to create division among the Iranian people.

"Today, more than ever, the Iranian nation must continue the path of the martyred Leader in unity," they said.

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