From Claims of Support to Christian Arrests and the Holding of Ali Khamenei’s Fortieth-Day Ceremony in a Church

The holding of a fortieth-day ceremony for Ali Khamenei at the “Saint Sarkis Church” represents a stark contradiction in the Islamic Republic’s treatment of Christians and their repeated arrests.

While multiple reports over recent years have documented pressure, restrictions, and even arrests of Christian citizens in Iran, the holding of an official ceremony in a church with the presence of government officials presents a contradictory and questionable picture of the Islamic Republic’s policies. This behavioral duality has once again brought the issue of selective treatment of religious minorities to the center of attention.

A ceremony held yesterday, the 19th of Farvardin, corresponding to April 8, commemorating the fortieth day of Ali Khamenei, the former leader of the Islamic Republic, was attended by official figures. The ceremony, held at Saint Sarkis Church, was attended by representatives of religious minorities, each presenting their views. However, critics believe that such events, rather than demonstrating genuine respect for religious freedoms, have a performative nature.

During this ceremony, a message from the Armenian Patriarch was read, stating: “In this war, the leader of the revolution and the schoolgirls of Shajareh and several other officials and people were martyred. I pray for the peace of their souls. During my 27 years of responsibility in Tehran, I knew him as a wise leader, a lover of Iran and the homeland. He never allowed the unity of the people and the territorial integrity of the country to be endangered in any way. We, as one of Iran’s minorities, acknowledge his wise leadership.”

A representative of the Armenian community also referred to similar programs being held in other cities, saying: “This program is being held simultaneously at the church in the east of Urmia. The Armenian community is also holding this program, and this evening the Assyrian community will have their program, and next Sunday the Armenians of Isfahan will have their program.”

He continued: “Forty days have passed since the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei, a leader who, after years of struggle in the defense of the homeland, joined the procession of martyrs. We also consider this loss as a tragedy. The bond between the Armenian community and us is inseparable. The families of Armenian martyrs welcomed him with admiration. This great sorrow did not remain confined to Iran’s borders but is also felt in Lebanon and Armenia.”

In another part of the ceremony, a representative of the Iranian Jewish community stated: “We are in the days of Passover, and during these days, the Jewish community is not permitted to mourn or hold mourning ceremonies, because during this month there is a need for the peace of all the deceased. For this reason, the Jewish community could not hold the fortieth-day ceremony of the martyred leader. For this reason, I convey the greetings of the Jewish community leader to everyone.”

He also added: “Many thought that with the martyrdom of Iran’s leader, Iran would fall. I thank Iran’s military and armed forces, and I hope our young leader will take his father’s place. I remember during President Rafsanjani’s tenure, the media mistakenly referred to Judaism instead of Zionism. We wrote a letter to the leadership, and he studied the letter within three days and ordered that there be no insult to the Jewish community. Showing respect to all minorities was very important to the martyred leader.”

Bishop “Vanian,” the spiritual leader of the Assyrian community in Tehran, also said: “We love Iran and will give our lives for our beloved country. Those who sit on the other side of the water and judge will be judged by God. May God grant the souls of the Imam and the martyrs His mercy.”

Subsequently, some parliamentary representatives also delivered speeches in support of national unity. Among them, it was said: “The people of Iran, from every religion, ethnicity, and sect, have shown over the past forty days that they support dear Iran and the system.”

However, what makes this ceremony a controversial issue is not merely its holding, but the contradiction between this display of unity and persistent reports of religious restrictions. The principal question asked by critics is how a government accused of treatment of Christians and restricting their religious activities simultaneously uses church facilities to hold its own official ceremonies.

This contradiction, above all, highlights the necessity of reviewing practical approaches toward religious freedoms; for symbolic displays, without actual changes in policies, cannot answer these questions.