A major new translation of the whole Bible into modern Persian was launched in London and Istanbul last week (September 22-24). The project was especially significant as some of its earliest contributors were martyred for their faith.

In honor of martyred Rev.
Tateos Michaelian, his widow Juliet is presented
with the first copy of the whole Bible in modern Persian.

Its publishers are Elam Ministries and Wycliffe Bible Translators. Elam was founded in 1990 by senior Iranian church leaders with a vision to serve the growing church in the Iran.

Elam says this event was made all the more remarkable because of the recent transformation of the church in Iran. At the time of the Islamic revolution in 1979, there were no more than 500 Christians from a Muslim background in the country. Now Iran is thought to have one of the fastest growing churches in the world.

The coordinator and chief editor of the new Bible translation Rev. Dr Mehrdad Fatehi said, “This project is like raising a child. It has been 18 years of hard work but worth it for such an exciting day.”

“Though the event was joyful, we are sad it had to take place outside Iran,” said Sam Yeghnazar, founder and director of Elam. “This event proves the worldwide church will always bring the Scriptures to people, however “closed” a country is meant to be.”

According to David Yeghnazar also of Elam, and Sam’s son, “A very conservative estimate puts the number of Christians in Iran at 100,000 … The generally-accepted estimate is 370,000. Some believe there are 700,000, others more than a million.”

Despite restrictions and risks from the Iranian government, Elam aims to print and distribute at least 300,000 copies over the next three years.

Sam Yeghnazar believes that the dedication of the Bible, in the company of hundreds of mainly leaders representing the church worldwide, sends out a clear message to those who persecute Christians.

The Michaelian Project

The venture was named The Michaelian Project, in honour of Tateos Michaelian who was shot dead 20 years ago and is regarded as Iran’s most notable Bible translator.

His widow Juliet was presented with the first copy alongside others who are relatives and friends of martyred Iranian Christians.

Rev. Hossein Soodmand was martyred in 1990. He is survived by his daughter Rashin Soodmand who also received a new Bible at the launch.

“I was crushed by my father’s death but wanted to share Jesus with others,” she said. “We had no scriptures so we wrote them out by hand and left them in taxis and restaurants. I prayed for Bibles for my city and country. God has answered my prayer.”

The gatherings of the international church in London and Istanbul also sent out a timely message that the Middle East is Christian as well as Muslim.