Scores of Iranian Muslims went to churches across the country to celebrate the ceremony of "the Appointment of the Cross and the Crescent" with their compatriot Christians, handing bunches of flowers to Armenians and Assyrians. RNA - Spokesman of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the ceremony of "the Appointment of the Cross and the Crescent" at Saint Sarkis Cathedral in Tehran where many Muslims showered their fellow Iranians of Christianity with flowers.
The ceremony was held on Sunday as a manifestation of the friendship between Muslims and Christians on the advent of the Christian New Year and with the purpose of deeper friendship between the divine religions.
Mousavi also met with Archbishop Sebuh Sarkisian.
On Friday, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei in a message advised followers of the Jesus Christ together with Muslims to adhere to righteousness.
"The honor Muslims attribute to Jesus Christ (pbuh) is no less than his position and merit in the eyes of the Christian believers in Christianity," Supreme Leader wrote in his Twitter account.
"The guidance of Jesus, the son of Mary (peace be upon our Prophet and her) is guidance towards worshiping God and confronting the Pharaohs and tyrants," he said.
"Following Jesus Christ requires adherence to righteousness and abhorrence of anti-righteous powers, and it is hoped that Christians and Muslims in every part of the world will adhere to this great lesson from Jesus (pbuh) in their lives and deeds," he reiterated.
Catholic Christians celebrate the birth of Holy prophet Jesus Christ (PBUH) on December 26.
On Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani extended congratulations to the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, on the advent of Christmas which marks the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ.
“I am delighted to offer my sincerest congratulations to Your Holiness on the birthday of Jesus Christ, the Prophet of peace and kindness and messenger of freedom, as well as the start of year 2020,” read the opening of President Rouhani's congratulatory message to Pope Francis.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Zarif expressed his felicitations over the auspicious birth anniversary of the prophet of friendship and brotherhood, Jesus Christ, describing Christmas as a “wondrous occasion”, and wishing a “joyous, peaceful holiday season” for all Christians.
“Wishing my Christian compatriots, and all across our globe who are observing, a very Happy Christmas and a joyous, peaceful holiday season. The birth of Jesus Christ, prophet in Islam, is a wondrous occasion to celebrate,” the top Iranian diplomat wrote.
According to Fars News Agency, Christians constitute less than one percent of the Iranian population. However, they are represented by three MPs at the Iranian Parliament.
There are at least 600 churches and over 300,000 Christians in Iran, a predominantly Muslim country.
Two years ago, Zarif had commemorated the occasion quoting verses from the Holy Quran.
“The angels said, Mary, God gives you glad-tidings of a Word from Him whose name is Christ, Jesus, son of Mary; highly honored in this world and the next" Quran 3:45,” Zarif wrote on his Twitter message.
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