Armenian ecclesiastical dioceses and the improvement of the condition of Persian Armenians in the 19th century during the reigns of Nasreddin Shah and Mozaffar Ad-Din Shah

Abstract

The Persian Armenian community and its ecclesiastical authorities experienced a period of relative stability during the reign of Fath Ali Shah Qajar. Fully aware of the significant benefits that the Armenian population—especially that of New Julfa—brought to the Iranian state, Fath-Ali Shah undertook decisive measures to place Armenians and Armenian religious institutions under royal protection.

        Following the signing of the Treaty of Turkmenchay, the mass emigration of Armenians from Atropatene and, partially, from New Julfa to the Russian Empire further compelled the Shah to extend his high patronage over the Armenian population and the Armenian Church, with the aim of preventing the continued outflow of Armenians from the country.