Artsakhi baby born in basement baptized in Masis

During the last Artsakh war, when many people were rushing
to shelters, Liliana was in maternity hospital. She was giving birth to her
first child.

“The day after the outbreak of war, my baby, Elena, was born
in the basement. We were under siege throughout my pregnancy. We had great
difficulty finding fruits, vegetables and bread. In late pregnancy, even
finding meat was a problem. My husband foraged in villages for these products
and took them to the city, so that I could eat food rich in vitamins,” the
Artsakhi woman says.

They used to have their abode in Stepanakert. Liliana worked
as a hairdresser, and her husband used to repair cars. Now, they live in a
rented house in the town of Masis. There is every essential appliance in the
house. However, they managed to bring only their clothes from Artsakh, and
nothing else.

“My husband has already found a job. I do not work to be
able to take care of Elena. She is 1.5 months old. I still cannot combine work
with my child,” she says.

Elena was the youngest among more than 140 Artsakhis
baptized in Masis. She was baptized on the day of her parents’ baptism. Liliana
and her husband were baptized on Nov. 14, 2021, in Stepanakert. Two years
later, baptizing the child in Stepanakert seems a distant dream. The baby was
baptized an Armenian Christian in the Saint Thaddeus Church in Masis.

“I only ask for peace from God,” Liliana whispers, raising
her head covering.