Birds’ Nest: Saving a Generation. Maria Jacobsen and the Orphans of Genocide

Krikor A. Alozian

In the early 20th century, Danish missionary and nurse Maria Jacobsen emerged as a beacon of compassion amid the horrors of the Armenian Genocide. Witnessing firsthand the atrocities committed against the Armenians, she dedicated her life to rescuing and caring for the orphaned children who had lost everything. In the aftermath of the Genocide, Jacobsen established the Birds’ Nest Orphanage in Byblos, Lebanon -not just a refuge, but a home filled with hope, education, and healing. Her unwavering dedication left a legacy of love and resilience that continues to inspire generations.

Originally published April 2025.

About the speaker

Headshot K.Alozian
Headshot K.Alozian

Krikor A. Alozian

Krikor A. Alozian is the Director of the Armenian Genocide Orphans' Aram Bezikian Museum, opened in 2015, in Byblos, Lebanon. Prior to this position, he managed several cultural and educational projects for the Armenian Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia. Housed in the former Birds' Nest orphanage, the Museum serves as a monument honoring the memory of the Armenian orphans and a tribute to Maria Jacobsen. It also recounts the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and the pivotal role played by non-governmental organizations and Western missionaries in resettling surviving orphans in the Middle East.

Return to WebTalks Search