Introducing Bethlehem Church
Church is a Greek word and refers to the gathering of people who have gathered together and have common religious beliefs. In congregational churches, the final decisionmaking authority in the church is the local congregation. In Shaikhi churches, the system of church administration is delegated by the local congregation to the leadership board of Shaikhs and its decisions are made through the parliament and the council. In Iran, due to the presence of the Christian minority, many churches have been built throughout Iran, the oldest of which is located in Urmia. One of the famous churches in Iran is the Church of the Holy Temple

Holy Baitul Lahm Church was built in the Safavid period and is the capital of Isfahan and is considered one of the great churches and places of interest in Isfahan. This church was built in the north of the two famous churches of Isfahan, Hakop and Maryam Magdas. This beautiful church has the highest dome among the current twelve churches. This beautiful dome is visible and recognizable from afar.

Beit El Lahm Church can be considered the most magnificent church in Isfahan, both in terms of wall paintings and in terms of its exterior. Especially since it has the biggest dome among the churches of Jolfa in Isfahan. In an article published in November 2016, the Daily Telegraph listed this church as one of the 23 most beautiful churches in the world.

History of Bethlehem Church
The Baitul Lahm Church was built during the Safavid Shah Abbas period in 1306 AH by a person named Khaja Petres Valijanian, a famous merchant of the Safavid period, and his burial and several members of his family are located in the church yard. Some believe that Eunuch Peter decided to build the Bethlehem Church because of the crowding at the entrance of the Church of Saint Mary because of the harassment of Christians.

There is also another story that Peter had willed his heart to be buried in Jolfa. After his death in India, to fulfill his will, this church was built in Jolfa. The picture of the founder of the church is engraved on the wall of the church and can be seen today.

The builder of Bethlehem Church was Khwaja Petres Valijanian, a famous merchant of the Safavid period.

Architecture of Bethlehem Church
The plan of the Bethlehem church is of the type of rectangular domed halls, which is located in the eastwest direction and has a doublewalled dome with eight skylights in the lower part of the dome. The building has no external decoration and its height is 25 meters and its diameter is 11 meters. The dome with four arches rests on four large columns attached to the north and south walls of the building. On the west side of the church and in front of the main entrance, there is a twostory porch and on top of it is the church bell. The bell of the house dates back to 1897. The materials used in the building of the Bethlehem Church include clay and brick. The interior walls of the church are covered with plaster and all of them have paintings with themes taken from the Bible. The lower part of the walls is also decorated with glazed tiles in indigo and blue colors.

In the middle of the second floor, there is a square hall, which is derived from the classical model of the Armenian domed hall. The dome of the church is a double dome decorated with gilding and inscriptions with different dates of benefactors involved in the construction of the church. This dome is located on four high and thick columns that are connected to the side and opposite columns with cross arches. The leg of the dome of the church has eight windows, and in the distance between both windows, you can see arches decorated with paintings. These paintings include the faces of the 12 apostles of Christ, the resurrection of Christ (PBUH) and the movement of Peter the Apostle on water. The most beautiful painting of Bethlehem Church is the image of Paradise, in the left part of which is the image of Khwaja Petres with a view of the crown on the painting. On the west side of the dome, at a short distance, the bell of the church is placed on a tower on the mentioned four pillars, 6 stone pillars and on them a conical bellshaped dome and finally a cross on the dome.

Beit El Lahem Church is built on two floors, the second floor is for women

There is an inscription written in Armenian script on the front of the church. In this inscription, the date of the building is mentioned as 1063 AH. Its stones are mentioned under the inscription. This inscription mentions the repair of the Baitul Lahm church in 1316 AH, during the time of Muzaffar alDin Shah Qajar. This church has remained till today and has been well taken care of. What attracts attention more than other parts of the church is the interior, decorated and gilded parts of the church, which have an extraordinary effect on its beauty.

Baitul Lahm Church was repaired during the time of Mozafaruddin Shah Qajar