A Review of Fr. John Thaddeus of S.Elisaeus's Performance and Mission in Safavid Iran

Abstract One of the important topics in Safavid history is the review of the activities and functions of European nationals and ambassadors in Iran. Among the aforementioned envoys, Father John Thadde; the Vatican special ambassador who arrived in Isfahan in 1607 during the reign of King Abbas I along with a number of Carmelite priests, is one of the most famous and influential in this period. The 19-year-old presence of the Spanish priest in Iran, as well as his appointment as special envoy of King Abbas to the Tsarist Russian court as well as the Kingdom of Poland, reflects the King's special interest and trust in this religious and political missionary. This article examines why John Thadde long-term presence at the Safavid court and how he served as ambassador of the Vatican court in Iran is described in a descriptive-analytical way, will be discussed, so that this character's life as an influential foreign missionary in history of Iran and Europe, to be clear in the Safavid period.