Thousands of Armenians across the Kurdistan Region and Iraq celebrated Christmas on Tuesday, which falls on January 6 each year according to the liturgical calendar of the Armenian Apostolic Church. They performed religious rituals, offered prayers, and sang spiritual hymns.

Yervan Aminian, head of the Armenian Orthodox community in Duhok, stated that the number of Armenians in Iraq has now dropped to fewer than 10,000, down from over 20,000 in the past, due to the difficult circumstances the region—and Iraq in particular—has faced.

Aminian added that “the number of Armenians in the Kurdistan Region has increased significantly,” noting that “previously, there were fewer than 1,000 Armenians in the region, but today there are more than 4,800, along with five Armenian churches.”

Meanwhile, several members of the Armenian community expressed their joy after attending mass at the Armenian Orthodox Church in Duhok, sharing hopes for peace and security in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and the world.

Rania Kako said, “We came to church today to pray, then visit family and relatives. We have special traditions for this holiday, including preparing kibbeh and dolma, wishing that this holiday would be one of love and peace for all.

Korkis Kevork added, “We live in good conditions in the Kurdistan Region, and there is coexistence among all communities, especially in Duhok, where Christians greet Muslims, and Muslims greet Yazidis.”