by Mahir Khalifa-zadeh*
Created: March 23, 2026
Posted from:
Khalifa-zadeh Mahir. Christianity in Ādurbādagān and Arrān (Caucasian Albania) in the Sasanian Period, International Journal of History, 2026, Vol 8, Issue 3, pp. 74-83.
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.22271/27069109.2026.v8.i3a.685
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| https://www.historyjournal.net/article/685/8-3-35-236.pdf |
This article discusses the spread and development of Christianity in Sasanian Ādurbādagān and Arrān (Caucasian Albania). The author argues that it is essential to consider the Christianization of Albania beyond the Caucasian horizon and to look at it as part of the broader process of Christianity’s dissemination in Persia and the adjoining Caucasus, following the establishment of the Church of the East (Church of Persia) and the Caucasian Albanian Church, in particular. Considering the Sasanian period as a milestone in the strengthening and institutionalization of Christianity throughout the whole empire, the author examines the doctrinal developments and Christological differences between the Churches of Albania and Persia. The author highlights that the Church of Persia was the official church of the Sasanian Empire and had a diocese in Ērānšahr’s Ādurbādagān, neighboring Albania, just across the Aras River. Notwithstanding that Albania was historically close to Persia, particularly to Ādurbādagān, forming with it the kust-ī Ādurbādagān under the Sasanians, and that the Church of Persia influenced Albania, establishing a significant so-called Nestorian community, Albania nevertheless had its own Albanian Autocephalic Church. Highlighting the Albanians’ self-interested loyalty to the Sasanians, as well as the close administrative, military, and later dynastic ties between the Sasanian Ādurbādagān and Albania, this article analyzes the development of Christianity in both regions, following the establishment of the different Churches that had diverse relationships with the dyophysite Byzantine Church. The author discusses the baptism of the Albanian king and “his people” into the Chalcedonian faith by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, as he was carrying out a “Holy War” against the Sasanians to redeem the True Cross.
Keywords: Orthodox Byzantium, Church of Persia, Caucasian Albanian Church, Sasanian, Iran, Azerbaijan
* Khalifa-zadeh M., Research Professor, Ph.D, Canadian Historical Association, 130 Albert Street, Suite 1912, Ottawa, ON, K1P5G4, Canada
PDF: https://www.historyjournal.net/article/685/8-3-35-236.pdf
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