St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tehran celebrates its patronal feast and 80th anniversary

DECR Communication Service, 20/12/2025

On 19^th December 2025, commemoration day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Tehran, capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, celebrated its patronal feast. The celebrations also marked the 80^th anniversary of the cathedral’s consecration and the 30^th anniversary of reunification of the Russian Orthodox parish in Tehran with the Moscow Patriarchate.

Prior to the feast day, substantial repair works had been carried out in the church. They included restoration of the unique glass coating of the vault in the sanctuary and repainting of the church’s interior vaults. Besides, new altar and oblation tables had been purchased, delivered and installed in the sanctuary.

Before the Liturgy, Archimandrite Alexander (Zarkeshev), Rector of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Tehran, celebrated the memorial service, during which he offered prayers for the late rectors of the church.

After that, Father Alexander officiated at the Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with him were Hegumen Varlaam (Dulsky) and Deacon Alexy Kostin.

The Troparion to St. Nicholas was sung by the clergy in the sanctuary. The Creed and the Lord’s Prayer were sung by all the worshippers.

Many parishioners partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

After the service, prayers of praise were offered to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

After the dismissal, Father Alexander conveyed to all those present blessings from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and read out a Patriarchal Decree which conferred on St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tehran the right to celebrate the Liturgy with the Royal Doors opened until the Lord’s Prayer.

Father Alexander delivered a sermon, in which he dwelt on the history of the cathedral’s construction, which had taken place in 1945, and wished God’s help to the clergy and parishioners.

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St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tehran celebrates its patronal feast and 80th anniversary

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons