Representatives of the Armenian community of Cordoba had a meeting with the families of soldiers killed and wounded during the four-day Artsakh war and transferred their material assistance at the RA Ministry of Diaspora. Everyone was nervous and mainly silent. If they spoke, they whispered, thinking the soldiers might “be offended”…The seemingly strong side of the soldiers having lost sons and wounded soldiers was the majority of the gathered, that is, fathers, men who had been “blinded” from the sorrow, had grown a beard and were looking towards the distance, waiting for their sons…No words were spoken. One felt mute and in a heavy atmosphere…The day became meaningful and the moment became eternal with the Lord’s Prayer that each of the attendees said silently…Of course, it was hard to talk to the parents of deceased and wounded soldiers, but they are stronger and have a more heroic spirit, like their sons.

Ara Abrahamyan (Artimed village, Etchmiadzin, Armavir Province)

“My son, Aram Abrahamyan was in college when he was drafted. He had been serving for over a year and was going to be demobilized in nine months, but he was killed in Jabrai on April 4. I was working in Moscow when the war broke out in April. It was on the night of April 1 that I saw a war in my dream. The opponent was bombarding the military positions where my son and his friends were positioned. There were about six large shells being fired at those positions with the Grad system. There were three soldiers, and one of them was my son…Unfortunately, my dream came true. My son was very young and had many plans and dreams, but he died…We won’t be able to return anyone by expressing words, crying and mourning. I believe that death still doesn’t mean the end of life. I believe I will see my son.”

What advice would you give to the soldiers serving in the army and those who avoid serving?

“Let each person look inside his soul. May God maintain peace! If the Lord doesn’t maintain a home, there is no point in having a guardian who spends sleepless nights. If we deeply believe and have faith in God, He will help us. The Lord says the wars are His and He will go to war for us. Those avoiding military service should feel remorse.”

You lost your son. Isn’t there a war within your soul?

“The real war is not over yet. As for the war inside your soul, you need to finish it and be filled with peace.”

Are there many things that you regret not having told your son?

“There are many things…I was simply very modest in terms of expressing my love for my son. I didn’t show my warmth soulfully…The longing is making me suffer. If, by a miracle, my son appeared, I probably wouldn’t say anything. Instead, I would hug him tightly…”

Samvel Nahapetyan, city of Masis

“My son, Khachatur Nahapetyan was wounded in Talish during the four-day war. I never thought the opponent would attack like that. My son was going to be demobilized in 20 days…He injured his hand and underwent a surgery. Now he is at the military positions again. He wanted to go to the positions as soon as possible and stand next to his friends. We couldn’t hold him back.

He will return in four days. We can’t wait. May God grant peace to Armenia and Artsakh! May the sons of all parents serve in the Armenian army and return home safe and sound! May no family lose a son!”

Larisa Saghatelyan

“I am the mother of wounded officer Vazgen Grigoryan. My son received a jaw injury in Mataghis. The second surgery was performed at Muratsan Military Hospital and he feels better now. He has a child. Before we found out that he had been wounded, I was constantly crying and couldn’t understand why…No matter what, a mother’s heart always feels the danger that her son faces. My son stayed alive, but most of my son’s friends-in-combat are no longer with us…How can you console the parents who lost their sons and their relatives? It’s hard! My son, Vazgen stays true to his ranking and will continue his military service. Let everyone serve, but there shouldn’t be a war. I would like to thank the representatives of the Armenian community of Cordoba and all organizations and individuals who are trying to do something to provide moral and material assistance to the families of the deceased and wounded soldiers.”

The war is not over. In the mothers’ prayers, the word “peace” has become the key word. May those prayers help Armenians live in peace!

Karine Avagyan

Hayern Aysor