“Christianity in Iran ancient times”

This study has aimed to investigate Christianity in the ancient Iran in two chronological times: ashkanian and Sasanian governments. First era has been coincident with the advent of Christian religion. In this period, Christianity was entered west-north of Iran by the Twelve Apostles of Jesus (quoted by Christians). Christianity which was entered Iran in this period is one that was similar to the Christian tradition of that time. Messengers (prophets) of church entered in Armenia which was part of Iran in that time and propagandized the Christianity and people of Armenia accepted their speech and performed baptism (christening). So, Iranian Christianity, in teaching, saw itself in the direction of Rom church in Ashkanian period. And Ashkanian kings were not concerned with Christian religion. However, archbishops (bishops) were freely allowed to perform mass (the Lord’s Supper) and rites by Rom church. In Sasanian period, Christianity and Christians and their churches were considered as the concern of Sasanian kings in west-north of Iran. Events occurred in Rom empire , which were very important for Sasanian kings: 1) formalizing Christian religion in Rom empire 2) creating church councils and setting and confirming Christian teachings as virtue 3) announcing Nestorius and believers as apostate in his church ad his immigrant to Iran and establishing Nestorius church in Iran. Three above events caused Christianity to be formed in Sasanian period with different approach of Ashkanian period, because: 1) Iranian church and Christianity established by the support of Sasanian kings in this period 2) Nestorius church began to work as a Iranian one and oppressed its opposed by the government 3) Nestorius church was known as an apostate church by Christianity with good virtue. However, it can be said that two kinds of Christianity entered Iran in these two periods.