tradition, the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew traveled through Armenia in AD 45 to preach the word of God, where many people were converted and numerous secret Christian communities were established. The ancient Christian historian Moses of Khorene told the following story, considered a legend by most modern historiographers. Thaddeus converted King Abgar V of Edessa. After his death, the Armenian kingdom was split into two parts. His son Ananun crowned himself in Edessa, while his nephew Sanatruk ruled in Armenia. About AD 66, Ananun gave the order to kill Saint Thaddeus in Edessa. The king's daughter Sandokht, who had converted to Christianity, was martyred with Thaddeus. Her tomb is said to be located near the Qara Kelisa. Events The annual ceremony and pilgrimage in the St. Thaddeus Monastery was held 14-16 July 2016. It was held by the Armenian Diocese of Atrpatakan. In December 2020, UNESCO added the pilgrimage to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Gallery See also Vaspurakan Chapel of Dzordzor Saint Stepanos Monastery Saint Bartholomew Monastery References External links UNESCO World Heritage: Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran Thaddeus Monastery at Armeniapedia St Thaddeus at Armenica.org Armenian Architecture studies Hamid-Rezā Hosseini, Sound of the Ancient Bell, in Persian, Jadid Online, October 31, 2008, A shorter English version: Iran's World Heritage Monastery, Jadid Online, December 25, 2008: Slide show (with English subtitles): (5 min 41 sec) Buildings and structures completed in 1329 Christian monasteries established in the 14th century Armenian Apostolic monasteries in Iran Armenian Apostolic churches in Iran World Heritage Sites in Iran History of West Azerbaijan Province Buildings and structures in West Azerbaijan Province Tourist attractions in West Azerbaijan Province Vaspurakan Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity