Tehran metro station dedicated to Mary a call to follow her on path of peace, cardinal says

(OSV News) -- The new underground metro station in Tehran dedicated to the Virgin Mary offers an opportunity for daily commuters to reflect on God's love for all, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Mathieu of Tehran-Isfahan said.

In an editorial published Oct. 22 by Fides, the news agency of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Cardinal Mathieu explained in detail the various bas-relief images of Jesus, Mary and a dove representing the Holy Spirit that adorn the "Maryam-e Moghadass" ("Holy Mary") metro station in Tehran.

The cardinal noted that while the "gazes of Jesus Christ and His Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, are fixed on the commuters," their closed eyelids exchange glances with commuters, "except that of the 'eye of the dove.'"

The sacred images, he said, invite those passing by to contemplate "the Love of the one God, which inflames and ignites hearts to walk with gentleness, humility, and a desire for peace, on the path of journeys and encounters that the Creator orchestrates for his children."

"The Holy Spirit will descend into hearts like a dove, to urge us to imitate Mary's humble heart and follow Jesus on his path of peace," the cardinal wrote.

The "Maryam-e Moghadass" station is part of Tehran's expanding Line 6 and is considered a major station, situated near the Cathedral Church of St. Sarkis, the city's Armenian Apostolic church.

According to Cardinal Mathieu, the dedication to the mother of Jesus "represents a tribute to the Armenian Christian community, as well as to the high rank of Mary."

The cardinal noted that Armenian Christians are the most numerous of the religious minorities in Iran, "with approximately 120,000-150,000 members according to some sources and 355,000 according to others."

Among the bas-relief images adorning the station are two of Mary: One depicts Mary with her eyes closed and hands clasped in prayer, accompanied by a large halo above her head. The dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, soars near her holding an olive branch, as she stands surrounded by tulips. Cardinal Mathieu noted that the tulip is a symbol of faithful and everlasting love in Islam.

In an interview with AFP, artist Tina Tarigh Mehr said the images were meant as a sign of respect.

"Every single element you see at this station was designed so that when someone passes through here, they understand that our goal was to respect other religions, Christianity in particular," Mehr said.

However, according to the 2025 annual report published by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, "religious freedom conditions in Iran remained poor, particularly for religious minorities, religious dissidents, and women and girls."

"Iran's government carried out over 900 executions in 2024 and issued scores of death sentences for religiously based charges," the report stated. It also noted that at least 21 Christians remained imprisoned on various charges, such as "engaging in deviant proselytizing activity" or "promoting Zionist Christianity."

Several converts were detained and later released after being accused of insulting "divine religions or Islamic schools of thought" after attending a Christmas gathering, the report said.

The Marian images at the metro station feature various verses from "Surah Maryam," the 19th chapter of the Quran dedicated to Mary. As the mother of Jesus, the third chapter of the Quran states that Mary, who is highly venerated in Islam, was chosen by God "from all the women of the world."

Cardinal Mathieu prayed that the Holy Spirit "descend into hearts like a dove, to urge us to imitate Mary's humble heart and follow Jesus on his path of peace."

"True peace finds its source in the Trinity: the Father who speaks, the Son who accepts, and the Holy Spirit who pours himself out upon us," he wrote.