Russia’s Historic St. Nicholas Church in Tehran Robbed

The Russian Embassy in Tehran announced that the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, one of the oldest Christian places of worship in the Iranian capital, was burglarized on June 10.

According to a statement released by the embassy, sacred objects and religious icons were stolen from inside the church, an incident that has drawn deep regret and a strong reaction from the Russian diplomatic mission.

The statement emphasized that over the past decades, including during World War II, the Iran-Iraq War, and recent regional tensions and conflicts, St. Nicholas Church had always remained safe from serious harm and is recognized as one of the symbols of the historic presence of Orthodox Christians in Iran.

Expressing concern over the incident, the Russian Embassy called on the unidentified individuals to return the stolen icons and religious items to the church and to refrain from “continuing this sacrilegious act.”

St. Nicholas Church in Tehran is considered the only Russian Orthodox church in the Iranian capital and is counted among religious buildings with historical significance. Investigations into the details of the theft and its potential perpetrators have not yet been officially announced.