Organized and hosted by the Armenian Evangelical Community ofFrance, Haigazian University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, actively participated in a five day lecture series, from May 13 to May 17, mostly dedicated to the Centenary of the Armenian Genocide.

The series started on May 13, by a lecture on “the Reflections of a Theologian a Hundred Years Later”, at the Saint Matthieu Church in Strasbourg, an event organized by the Action Chrétienneen Orient (ACO) and its publication “Ensemble”. During the solemn occasion, Haidostian shared a statement of gratitude on behalf of the Armenian Evangelical Church and in the name of all the 1915 Armenian Genocide survivors, expressing his deep gratitude towards Pastor Dr. Paul Berron, who, in his very delicate position as chaplain of the German Army, and as a witness of the tragic fate of the Armenian and Syro-Chaldean deportees in the Syrian desert, did not hesitate to be the voice of his fellow brothers and sisters of the Alsace Moselle churches. Haidostian clearly underlined the vital role of the ACO which has not stopped to “reveal and relate the needs, to mobilize men and women of goodwill, to provide for the spiritual, managerial and material needs of people or churches in distress.”

Haidostian also participated in a three day international conference entitled, “Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation”, organized by the Armenian Evangelical Union of France at Issy les Moulineaux, presenting two lectures on“The Armenian Genocide and Spirituality”, and “New Forms of Genocide in the Middle East today and the Christian Communities”. It is worth noting that both lectures were attended by two hundred participants of the conference, notably pastors, scholars and lecturers, including Bishop Maroun-Nasser Gemayel, prelate of the Maronite Church in France.

Haidostian grasped the opportunity of his visit to France to meet with Haigazian University alumni, deliver the sermon at the Sunday worship service at the Armenian Evangelical Church of Issy les Moulineaux, and to give a public lecture on “the Conditions of the Armenians in Syria” at the Armenian Evangelical Church of Alfortville.