"Healing to Live"
As part of a collaboration between the Bible Society of Armenia and the "YNTSA" Center of the Diocese of Artsakh, and with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh, the program "Healing to Live" was implemented to support forcibly displaced individuals from Artsakh. The program aimed to help participants alleviate, heal, and overcome the pain of loss.
The program was conducted in September and October with two groups (a total of 22 participants), including families of fallen soldiers. The sessions were led by a specially trained clergy member, a psychologist, and a social worker. Each group participated in six sessions.
On November 2, the program concluded with a final meeting where participants shared the positive changes they experienced as a result of working with the specialists. Key topics discussed during the sessions included questions such as: "If God loves me, why am I suffering?" "How can we forgive others?" and "How can we surrender our pain to the Cross?" Women from Artsakh, who had been suffering from the pain of losing loved ones, their homeland, and at times even their faith, admitted that they began seeking God anew, rediscovered their spiritual strength, and started healing their wounds.
In his concluding remarks, His Grace Bishop Vrtanes addressed the participants and facilitators: "You may blame everyone for your loss, pain, and suffering, but never the Lord, for He has always been our healer, protector, guide, and steadfast ally." The Bishop reminded everyone that evil and wars emerge in our lives beyond our control, destroying everything within us and leaving deep scars. Spiritual leaders and psychologists are there to guide us to the Bible to help heal our pain. However, individuals themselves must also use their God-given spiritual strength to heal their wounds and soothe the sorrows of their souls.
His Grace expressed his gratitude to the organizers and facilitators for their devoted work and presented a symbolic gift—a depiction of Gandzasar Monastery—to program director Mrs. Marine Ghazaryan.
At the end of the meeting, approximately 15 participants who had fully engaged in the sessions received certificates and Bibles from the Bible Society of Armenia.