As Christmas is celebrated worldwide, the faithful in Baku gathered at St. Mary’s Catholic Church to partake in prayers, songs, and community celebrations.
The air was filled with a sense of unity, peace, and joy as worshippers from various backgrounds came together to mark this special time of the year.
At the heart of the celebration were the prayers and services inside the church, where Christians of all ages came to reflect on the spiritual meaning of Christmas and honor the birth of Jesus Christ.
Before the service began, the church was a scene of warm greetings as people exchanged smiles and well-wishes, embodying the spirit of the season.
One congregant from the Philippines, shared their experience of celebrating Christmas in a foreign land. “I came here for the celebration of Christmas and New Year,” they said. “It’s a little different from my home country. In the Philippines, Christmas is about family gatherings, but here in Baku, I am alone. But even though I miss my family, I enjoy walking around Nizami Street, where there are Christmas markets and Christmas trees, which makes me feel connected to the celebration.”
For many, Christmas in Baku is not just a religious observance but a time for unity and reflection, regardless of background.
The celebrations bring together individuals of different ages, nationalities, and walks of life, united in the values of peace, compassion, and togetherness.
Another worshipper spoke about how they celebrated Christmas in the church, saying, “I always celebrate here, serving in the church. Afterward, we gather with family and friends. We prepare traditional Filipino food and spend the time reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas.
My message this Christmas is one of love, peace, and gratitude. We have to thank God for everything we receive and strive to spread peace to the world. Merry Christmas to everyone.”
Local Christians also took part in the celebration, marking the holiday with their families. One congregant shared their heartfelt thoughts: “Every December, I spend this holiday with my family. It’s a time when people’s hearts open up, and they begin to believe in the significance of Jesus’ birth. My wish for the new year is to be happier and more religious than before, to draw closer to God, and for our country to become kinder toward each other.”
As the service began, the faithful participated in prayers, hymns, and liturgy, all led by the priest who spoke of the spiritual importance of Christ’s birth.
His sermon emphasised the universal values of Christmas, calling for love, hope, and faith. “Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,” said Josef Marek, the priest. “Through Him, joy, forgiveness, and all of God’s gifts have come into the world.
Today, every person can have access to God through Jesus Christ, and God invites everyone to come to Him. That is why Christmas and its celebration are truly about rejoicing in God.”
As celebrations took place in churches across Baku, the atmosphere was filled with peace, hope, and a shared sense of humanity.
The Christmas celebrations in the Azerbaijani capital mirrored the spirit seen around the world—a time of faith, love, and unity.
Whether surrounded by family or among new friends, Christmas in Baku served as a reminder of the universal power of love and the importance of community in our lives.
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has accused World Cup co-host the United States of treating his team "very unfairly", saying logistical restrictions ha...
A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the United States a...
At least three paramilitary troops and three suspected militants were killed after heavily armed attackers stormed a Rangers security compound in Paki...
"I will be president for only a couple of weeks, and then I will resign," Vucic told supporters at a pro-government rally in the capital, Belgrade....
The death toll in the twin earthquakes which rocked Venezuela earlier this week has risen to 1,430, top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez said on Saturday. Ano...
Pope Leo XIV has urged Angolans to move beyond decades of division, as tens of thousands gathered for Mass and prayers during his visit to the country. Speaking to large crowds near Luanda on Sunday (19 April), the pope described Angola as a “beautiful yet wounded country”.
Tens of thousands of people filled a stadium in Douala on Friday, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo during what is expected to be the largest event of his African tour.
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations.
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
Japan remained on high alert Saturday as Typhoon Mekkhala approached the eastern coast after Typhoon Higos weakened into a tropical depression. Authorities warned of continued heavy rain, flooding, and landslides, according to media reports.
A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the United States and Iran each launched strikes in the worst escalation since they signed their interim peace deal.
ANEWZ can exclusively report that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to visit Azerbaijan on 1 July.
Protesters gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs after Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement in Washington aimed at ending fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near Oman, with two U.S. officials accusing Iran of the attack.
Kazakhstan has not received an official request from Russia for petrol supplies, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said, as fuel shortages and sales restrictions in Russia raise concerns over fuel supplies across Central Asia.
Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday (26 June) condemned as "interventionist, irresponsible and provocative" a statement issued following a joint meeting of foreign ministers from the U.S. and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Manama, Bahrain.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo, marking another milestone in the carrier's long-term fleet modernisation programme aimed at improving efficiency, expanding capacity and enhancing the passenger experience.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment