A bitterly disputed territory Nagorno-Karabakh is an enclave in south-western Azerbaijan but is currently under the de facto control of ethnic Armenians who make up a large majority of its population. In 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was an escalation of violence between Azeris and ethnic Armenians over the region. It declared itself an independent republic, resulting in a large-scale conflict which left about 30,000 people dead and more than one million homeless. A ceasefire was signed in 1994 but ownership of the territory is still bitterly disputed and there are sporadic outbreaks of violence.

Zemphyra Grigorian with her well-thumbed Armenian Bible. Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan. Photo: Danish BS/Rune Hansen (AZE05DJ-1.JPG)

Zemphyra’s miracle

by Rune Hansen, Photojournalist working with the Danish Bible Society

NAGORNO-KARABAKH — Zemphyra Grigorian opens her door with a warm smile, welcoming us into her pleasant but sparsely furnished apartment in downtown Stepanakert. A large, worn Bible lies open on the table in her living room where we settle down to talk.

Twelve years ago her husband was killed in the bitter territorial conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. She doesn’t find it easy to talk about it but, with her hand resting on her Bible, Zemphyra begins to tell us her story.

“The world was darkened the day my husband died,” she says. “My life lay in pieces around me and I hated everyone. I could think only of my husband and I began seeing him everywhere – in crowds and on the street, wherever I went. I allowed nobody to smile in my presence and I made everyone nervous.

“I was working in a kindergarten that was being used as a prison for Azeri prisoners of war. I began to hate them. I refused to give them water or food and I tried to stop the other prison attendants from helping them. I was consumed with bitterness.

“Then, on my way home one day, I overheard a discussion on the street between two people who were talking about eternal life. I was interested but I was too proud to ask them what they meant. As I started to walk on a woman nearby started to sing a song that stopped me in my tracks. It went, ‘Tell me where to go when my heart is distressed; tell me where to go when my conscience is hurting me. Only Jesus brings salvation and forgives your sins.’ As I stood there, unable to move, I felt light and warmth streaming into my heart. The woman noticed me, smiled and invited me to go with her to church the next day.

“The next day was the most miraculous day of my life. As I sat in the church and listened to the sermon, which was about eternal life, I could feel the light of Christ replacing the darkness of my life. For the first time in a long time, I felt happy. I wanted to sing like a bird. I began to feel that I could love people again. I was truly amazed at what was happening to me. Other people were amazed at the change in me, too!

My Saviour

“I started bringing fruit and other food for the Azeri prisoners, who were really surprised. One day at work I knelt down in front of them and started to pray. One of them asked me whom I was praying to and I told them, ‘To Jesus my Saviour.’ Although they were not Christians, some asked me to pray to my God for them, too. So from that day, every day until they were released, we would kneel together while I prayed for them.