Amidst the rugged peaks of the Lesser Caucasus mountain range, Armenia is ushering in the Christmas season against the backdrop of a challenging year's fading echoes. In Gyumri, near the Turkish border, the Sisters of the Armenian Congregation of the Immaculate Conception are tirelessly working to provide solace to children displaced by the recent war. The Christmas festivities in Armenia unfold from December 25 for the Catholic Church to January 6 for the Armenian Apostolic Church.
In his Urbi et Orbi blessing on December 25, Pope Francis reflected on the plight of those displaced by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, imploring for peace and fraternity. His message serves as a guiding light for Armenia, the world's first Christian state, navigating another tumultuous year marked by territorial conflicts.
Engaged in a decades-long territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been embroiled in several wars, with significant clashes in 1988-1994 and the fall of 2020. In September 2023, Azerbaijan swiftly regained control of the region after an offensive. The aftermath saw the arrest of separatist representatives, and the majority of Nagorno-Karabakh's population sought refuge in Armenia.
Gyumri, Armenia's second-largest city, hosts an orphanage run by three nuns from the Armenian Congregation of the Immaculate Conception, providing a home for around thirty children, many from Nagorno-Karabakh. Christmas celebrations at the orphanage offer a respite for the young residents, with festivities including nativity scenes, meals, and parties.
Sister Nariné, one of the nuns, shared their preparations with Vatican Radio, anticipating more than 300 attendees, including former residents and their families. The children, accustomed to celebrating Christmas twice, on December 25 and January 6, demonstrate a harmonious blend of religious rites within their diverse community.
Amidst the joy, Sister Nariné expressed concerns about the persistent threat of war, stating, "We fear another war in Armenia; we are not accustomed to living in peace." Psychologists at the orphanage provide crucial support to displaced children grappling with the omnipresent scars of war in Gyumri.
Looking ahead to 2024, despite a recent announcement on December 22 by the leader of Armenian separatists retracting the dissolution of separatist institutions, observers remain skeptical about the prospects of a peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku. Sister Nariné, echoing the collective yearning for peace, shared her heartfelt wish for the coming year: "Above all, we want peace. Everyone wants peace. We pray."