Mazanderani

Tehran

Iran

Following a botched 2015 nuclear deal with the U.S., firm sanctions on Iran have weakened their economy and further tainted the public opinion of the only Islamic Theocracy in the world. As the access to basic necessities and governmental planning worsens, the people of Iran are further disillusioned with the Islamic utopia the government promised.

These are just a few of the many factors that are contributing to Iran hosting the fastest-growing church in the world. Tabriz is said to derive from tap-riz (“cause heat to flow”), due to the many thermal springs in the area.

As Iran’s fourth-largest city and a major center of production, Tabriz is a hub ripe for burning ones to be trained and sent throughout neighboring cities and countries.