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.
U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz are progressing and suggested an agreement with Iran could be reached “...
Tajikistan tripled fuel imports from neighbouring Central Asian countries in July after deliveries from Russia declined sharply, underscoring how disr...
The UK government announced a new package of sanctions on Thursday (6 August) aimed at disrupting Russia's financial sector and oil exports, expanding...
U.S. President Donald Trump said there was an "all-day negotiation" on Tuesday with Iran, characterising the talks positively while also threatening to hit Iran "really hard" if a deal was not reached.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, two key maritime chokepoints in the region, decreased significantly from the previous day, according to shipping data.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 6th of August, covering the latest developments.
Kazakhstan’s main oil export corridor was disrupted by drone strikes near Russia’s Black Sea coast in July, forcing a temporary suspension of crude loadings and raising fresh concerns over the vulnerability of regional energy infrastructure to the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the country's ambassadors to Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and several other countries. The removals came after a speech on Monday in which he said embassies would be judged on their effectiveness in securing weapons for Ukraine.
The installation of the first fibre-optic cable across the bottom of the Caspian Sea has been completed, marking a major step in the development of a new digital corridor connecting Europe and Asia.
Saudi Arabia has warned of a growing regional security threat after a Houthi attack wounded 11 civilians in the kingdom's southern Najran province, raising fears that further coordinated strikes could follow.
A bomb planted inside a minibus has killed two people and injured 13 others in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana, adding to concerns over security in an area that has seen repeated tensions in recent months.
Pakistan’s critical minerals sector is attracting renewed interest from American companies, with investors exploring opportunities in copper, antimony and other strategic minerals as global competition intensifies to secure supplies for defence, artificial intelligence and clean energy industries.
More than 100,000 people entered Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan between 19 July and 1 August, increasing pressure on communities and humanitarian organisations already struggling with poverty, limited services and funding shortages.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment