Christmas Felicitations

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif extended Christmas greetings to Christians in Iran and across the world. Citing a verse from Qur'an regarding Prophet Jesus and Mary (peace be upon them), Zarif wrote in a Twitter message on Saturday, "The angels said, 'Mary, God gives you glad-tidings of a word from Him whose name is Jesus, son of Mary', highly honored in this world and the next," IRNA reported. Zarif added, "A very happy and peaceful Christmas to all. May Christ's universal message of peace be embraced in the coming year." Historically, Iran has been home to some of the oldest Christian communities of the world, among them Armenians and Assyrians. According to the Statistical Center of Iran, over 117,000 Christians reside in Iran, most of whom are Armenians who follow the Oriental Orthodox branch of Christianity.