ABSTRACT
Christianity has existed in Iran since its earliest days. Traditionally, the three magi are from "Persian lands afar" and St. Luke writes in the book of Acts that on the day of Pentecost, Parthians, Medes, and Elamites were present among the disciples. During the early years, access to Muslims was extremely difficult and the small band of missionaries directed most of their educational and medical efforts toward the Armenian people of Julfa. However, the socio-political environment in Iran at the time meant that as the mission became known, its philanthropic endeavors were increasingly welcomed by the people. Little biographical information is available about the women before their arrival in Iran, for application forms and candidates' papers housed at Churchmen's Missionary Society (CMS) headquarters did not survive the bombing of London during the Second World War. Early CMS missionaries in Persia were not exceptional in recognizing the advantages of female workers.
