Haigazian University Baccalaureate Service for the Class of 2012
Sarah Adams: “It is time to leave the safety and familiarity of Haigazian and move into a new place”
“Our challenge is to capture the hope and the promise of the benediction in the midst of our lives filled with challenges and heartache”. With these words,Sarah Adams, representative of the Mennonite Central Committee for Lebanon and Syria summed up her message to the graduating class of 2012, at the Baccalaureate Service held on Sunday, June 24th 2012, in the First Armenian Evangelical Church in Beirut. The service, which many graduates attended with their families, started with a prelude by studentNanorMadjarian on the piano, followed by a processional hymn marking the entrance of the graduating class of 2012, as they made their way through the church.
After the call to worship, a classic hymn of praise “Amazing Grace” was sung followed by the prayer of invocation.
“Our accomplishment is never complete without a moment of silence and gratitude before others and God,” said Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of Haigazian University, in his welcoming address.
Haidostian emphasized on the “spirit” as the innermost feeling of celebration, noting that “The best celebration is not when you accomplish something or receive something, but when you become thankful for what you receive.”
Talking about the human spirit and religion, Haidostian concluded by saying, “our university education allowed our hearts to grow, to also show us that religion is not our property, or our hobby. It has to do with our deepest, God’s deepest, and all that happens in between.”
Following the president’s word, graduating student Liana Ghazarossian beautifully led the reading of Psalm 40, which included responses read by the audience. The next two graduates to contribute to this service were Jirair Ghazarian and Rebekah White, who each shared their reflections as students of Haigazian University and in particular their appreciation for Spiritual Life at the university.
After the song of exhortation, a poignant hymn entitled “Your steadfast Love,” 2 students read a passage from the Bible.
In her address entitled“Blessings for a New Journey”, to the graduating students,Sarah Adamsexplained that the moment has come “to leave the safety and familiarity of Haigazian and move into a new place”. Concentrating on the meaning of “benediction” as a “focus on the hope and joy that is coming our way,” Adams proposed two simple suggestions: to remember to smile, even if one is forced to that sometimes, and to pick a simple benediction that resonates in their hearts, as a reminder of God’s continual hope and blessing for their lives.
This was followed by a prayer of dedication offered by Rev. HrayrCholakian, after which studentsMaria Palazian and Elias Rbeizread the pledge of the graduates: “We, the class of 2012 of Haigazian University, in receiving this light, pledge to hold high the light of truth, to defend the light of freedom, and to spread the light of service to our communities, our country and our world. With truth, freedom and service illuminating our hearts, we will challenge each other, and our world, to uphold the worth of each human being, and we will strive for the betterment of society, knowing that this is pleasing to God.”
To conclude the service, the President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Rev. MegrdichKaragoezian, pronounced the benediction, whereupon the class of 2012marched out of the church with the recessional, each carrying the light of truth, freedom & service to the world.
The service was followed by a reception in the New Heritage Building yard.
Mira Yardemian
PR Director
“Our challenge is to capture the hope and the promise of the benediction in the midst of our lives filled with challenges and heartache”. With these words,Sarah Adams, representative of the Mennonite Central Committee for Lebanon and Syria summed up her message to the graduating class of 2012, at the Baccalaureate Service held on Sunday, June 24th 2012, in the First Armenian Evangelical Church in Beirut. The service, which many graduates attended with their families, started with a prelude by studentNanorMadjarian on the piano, followed by a processional hymn marking the entrance of the graduating class of 2012, as they made their way through the church.
After the call to worship, a classic hymn of praise “Amazing Grace” was sung followed by the prayer of invocation.
“Our accomplishment is never complete without a moment of silence and gratitude before others and God,” said Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of Haigazian University, in his welcoming address.
Haidostian emphasized on the “spirit” as the innermost feeling of celebration, noting that “The best celebration is not when you accomplish something or receive something, but when you become thankful for what you receive.”
Talking about the human spirit and religion, Haidostian concluded by saying, “our university education allowed our hearts to grow, to also show us that religion is not our property, or our hobby. It has to do with our deepest, God’s deepest, and all that happens in between.”
Following the president’s word, graduating student Liana Ghazarossian beautifully led the reading of Psalm 40, which included responses read by the audience. The next two graduates to contribute to this service were Jirair Ghazarian and Rebekah White, who each shared their reflections as students of Haigazian University and in particular their appreciation for Spiritual Life at the university.
After the song of exhortation, a poignant hymn entitled “Your steadfast Love,” 2 students read a passage from the Bible.
In her address entitled“Blessings for a New Journey”, to the graduating students,Sarah Adamsexplained that the moment has come “to leave the safety and familiarity of Haigazian and move into a new place”. Concentrating on the meaning of “benediction” as a “focus on the hope and joy that is coming our way,” Adams proposed two simple suggestions: to remember to smile, even if one is forced to that sometimes, and to pick a simple benediction that resonates in their hearts, as a reminder of God’s continual hope and blessing for their lives.
This was followed by a prayer of dedication offered by Rev. HrayrCholakian, after which studentsMaria Palazian and Elias Rbeizread the pledge of the graduates: “We, the class of 2012 of Haigazian University, in receiving this light, pledge to hold high the light of truth, to defend the light of freedom, and to spread the light of service to our communities, our country and our world. With truth, freedom and service illuminating our hearts, we will challenge each other, and our world, to uphold the worth of each human being, and we will strive for the betterment of society, knowing that this is pleasing to God.”
To conclude the service, the President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Rev. MegrdichKaragoezian, pronounced the benediction, whereupon the class of 2012marched out of the church with the recessional, each carrying the light of truth, freedom & service to the world.
The service was followed by a reception in the New Heritage Building yard.
Mira Yardemian
PR Director
144 students bid farewell to Haigazian University
On Friday, June 29, 2012, after successfully achieving their scholastic requirements, more than 140 students, including 125 undergraduates and 19 graduates, proudly received their diplomas from President Haidostian, amidst an atmosphere of applaud and cheer sometimes mixed with moments of high emotion.
Government Minister General PanosManjian represented the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the Parliament, and the President of the Council of Ministers. Among the attendees were MPs Jean Oghasabian, HagopPakradounian, Dr. BassemShabb, SebouhKalpakian, Armenian Ambassador AshodKotcharian, in addition to representatives of the Commander of the Army and the chiefs of Internal and General Security, the President of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, Rev. SalimSahyouni, Archbishops KeghamKhatcherian and Jean Teyrouzian, former ministers and MPs, clergy, members of the Board of Trustees, parents, relatives and friends.
A celebratory processional march by faculty and graduates, followed by the Lebanese National Anthem, and the Invocation offered by trustee John Sagherian, opened the auspicious 52th commencement exercises.
“I place on your shoulders the heavy load of turning your education into good service, professional and ethical behavior, and forward looking attitude”, said President Haidostian to the class of 2012.
Haidostian considered education as a “promise”, and universities turn that promise into a profession, noting that, “Universities take upon themselves the task of responding to the challenges of the future, more so than governments may succeed in doing.”
After providing fatherly advices to students, such as “becoming instruments of peace, … combining knowledge with self-critical openness,” Haidostian concluded, “The world is hungry for good promises. We are not living in comfortable days. Becoming young professionals who promise what is good, is the best place to start, and God will bless your efforts.”
Keynote speaker, Dr. Paul Salem, Director of the Carnegie Middle East Center and a sought after consultant, lecturer, and politician tackled the current issues in the Arab World, and the Arab Spring. “Spring is about rebirth, and the Arab spring was led by the youth which represent every society’s rebirth,” Salem noted. Salem emphasizes on the notion of “Change”, urging the graduates to be filled with positive energy and ideals to shape the coming decades.
Among the many crucial advices that he shared with the graduating class of 2012, Salem said, “do not be guided by fear. Anxiety and fear are powerful drugs: kick the habit. Don’t think of yourself as a victim; don’t live in the past, forget insults, forget personal injustices…”
Two students delivered speeches before their classmates.
In her valedictorian address, PaligLadayan, hailed Haigazian as a unique University which “makes you distinctive from thousands of graduates.”“Haigazian provided us a balanced life, between knowledge and individualism”. Quoting Benjamin Franklin, ‘an investment in knowledge always pays the best interest”, Ladayan urged her fellow graduates to be grateful to their beloved country Lebanon and serve it at their best. For her part, NatschaSchellenreflected on one of the greatest virtues “love”.
Describing her experience at Haigazian, Schellen had the following expression, “crawling out of the cocoon of shyness into another one, a cocoon of love”.As she goes separate ways with her friends, Schellenconcluded by quoting Khalil Gebran “Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation”, to say that love will grow into a force to make the good all around, and the bad and resentment to die at the end into dusts in the winds.
Upon the benediction offered by the President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Rev. MegrdichKaragoezianto the class of 2012, graduates threw their caps high into the air, as white balloons flew overhead.
Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Government Minister General PanosManjian represented the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the Parliament, and the President of the Council of Ministers. Among the attendees were MPs Jean Oghasabian, HagopPakradounian, Dr. BassemShabb, SebouhKalpakian, Armenian Ambassador AshodKotcharian, in addition to representatives of the Commander of the Army and the chiefs of Internal and General Security, the President of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, Rev. SalimSahyouni, Archbishops KeghamKhatcherian and Jean Teyrouzian, former ministers and MPs, clergy, members of the Board of Trustees, parents, relatives and friends.
A celebratory processional march by faculty and graduates, followed by the Lebanese National Anthem, and the Invocation offered by trustee John Sagherian, opened the auspicious 52th commencement exercises.
“I place on your shoulders the heavy load of turning your education into good service, professional and ethical behavior, and forward looking attitude”, said President Haidostian to the class of 2012.
Haidostian considered education as a “promise”, and universities turn that promise into a profession, noting that, “Universities take upon themselves the task of responding to the challenges of the future, more so than governments may succeed in doing.”
After providing fatherly advices to students, such as “becoming instruments of peace, … combining knowledge with self-critical openness,” Haidostian concluded, “The world is hungry for good promises. We are not living in comfortable days. Becoming young professionals who promise what is good, is the best place to start, and God will bless your efforts.”
Keynote speaker, Dr. Paul Salem, Director of the Carnegie Middle East Center and a sought after consultant, lecturer, and politician tackled the current issues in the Arab World, and the Arab Spring. “Spring is about rebirth, and the Arab spring was led by the youth which represent every society’s rebirth,” Salem noted. Salem emphasizes on the notion of “Change”, urging the graduates to be filled with positive energy and ideals to shape the coming decades.
Among the many crucial advices that he shared with the graduating class of 2012, Salem said, “do not be guided by fear. Anxiety and fear are powerful drugs: kick the habit. Don’t think of yourself as a victim; don’t live in the past, forget insults, forget personal injustices…”
Two students delivered speeches before their classmates.
In her valedictorian address, PaligLadayan, hailed Haigazian as a unique University which “makes you distinctive from thousands of graduates.”“Haigazian provided us a balanced life, between knowledge and individualism”. Quoting Benjamin Franklin, ‘an investment in knowledge always pays the best interest”, Ladayan urged her fellow graduates to be grateful to their beloved country Lebanon and serve it at their best. For her part, NatschaSchellenreflected on one of the greatest virtues “love”.
Describing her experience at Haigazian, Schellen had the following expression, “crawling out of the cocoon of shyness into another one, a cocoon of love”.As she goes separate ways with her friends, Schellenconcluded by quoting Khalil Gebran “Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation”, to say that love will grow into a force to make the good all around, and the bad and resentment to die at the end into dusts in the winds.
Upon the benediction offered by the President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Rev. MegrdichKaragoezianto the class of 2012, graduates threw their caps high into the air, as white balloons flew overhead.
Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
The First Round of Dialogues Between Muslims and Evangelical Churches
“The first round of dialogues between Muslims and Evangelical Churches” was held from 26 -30 May, 2012, in Tehran-Iran. The conference was organised by the Center for Interreligous Dialogue (CID) of the Islamic Culture and Relation Organizations (ICRO) in cooperation with the Fellowship of the Middle East Evangelical Churches (FMEEC) and with the participation of Muslim – Christian representatives from Middle East.
The conference was attended by the Rev. Haroutune Selimian, the President of the Armenian Evangelical Community in Syria.
During the period of 26 -30 May, 2012, Muslim and Christian scholars in “The first round of Dialogue between the Muslims and Evangelical Churches” discussed Jerusalem al- Quds and how it can be made easily accessible as a place of worship once again, because Jerusalem al-Quds a place of worship for all three major Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Other experts talked of good relations and the trust between Muslims and Christians before Israeli occupation of Jerusalem al-Quds.
Other prominent Christian figures believed that it was the duty of Christians to free Jerusalem-al Quds. Continuously, the strong relationship of Christian-Islam mutual relations inspire hope for the Christian minority that lives in Persia and elsewhere to be safe and peaceful on the principles of the brotherly love upon the basis of the principle of co-existence.
During the period of 26 -30 May, 2012, Muslim and Christian scholars in “The first round of Dialogue between the Muslims and Evangelical Churches” discussed Jerusalem al- Quds and how it can be made easily accessible as a place of worship once again, because Jerusalem al-Quds a place of worship for all three major Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Other experts talked of good relations and the trust between Muslims and Christians before Israeli occupation of Jerusalem al-Quds.
Other prominent Christian figures believed that it was the duty of Christians to free Jerusalem-al Quds. Continuously, the strong relationship of Christian-Islam mutual relations inspire hope for the Christian minority that lives in Persia and elsewhere to be safe and peaceful on the principles of the brotherly love upon the basis of the principle of co-existence.
Պահանջատիրութեան «Նեղ Դուռը»
ՀԱՅ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆԱԿԱՆ ԲԵԹԷԼ ԵՐԿՐՈՐԴԱԿԱՆ ՎԱՐԺԱՐԱՆԻ ԱՄԱՎԵՐՋԻ ԶԱՆԳԸ
"Live Your Dream" Life Skills Jinishian Center's (Yerevan) Interview with Dr. Paul Haidostian
"Live Your Dream", the Life Sills Jinishian Center was honored to host Lebanon's Haigazian University President, Dr. Paul Haidostian. The Armenian diaspora's only Armenian university president, who heads one of the best among 45 universities, shared with us his long and rich experience, expressing a variety of interesting approaches and ideas that will help young people clarify their goals and outline a path that will lead them to realize their dreams.
Who is the real man, according to Dr. Haidostian, and what are the fundamentals of succeess in life? You will know, by watching this interview. You can watch the interview here: http://lyd.am/Videoharcazruycner/Paul-Haidostian
The introduction was translated by Raffi
Who is the real man, according to Dr. Haidostian, and what are the fundamentals of succeess in life? You will know, by watching this interview. You can watch the interview here: http://lyd.am/Videoharcazruycner/Paul-Haidostian
The introduction was translated by Raffi
Chanasser (Ջանասէր) Mar-Apr 2012 Issue
Invitation: Rededication Service of the Chapel of KCHAG-Lebanon
Danish – Arab Dialogue Conference 2012
Danish – Arab Dialogue Conference was held from April 30 until May 3, 2012 in Beirut.
The Conference was organized by the "Arab Group" a joint initiative of the National Council of Churches of Denmark and the Muslim Council of Denmark in cooperation with the "Arab Group For Muslim-Christian Dialogue" with the participation of fifty Muslim – Christian representatives from Denmark, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Rev. Haroutune Selimian, president of the Armenian Protestant Churches in Syria, representrd UAECNE and the Armenia Protestant Community in Syria.During the conference the attendees discussed, "What can be said together about matters of faith and ethics, religious freedom and co-existence and dialogue between the Muslim - Christian."
The meetings reinforced the understanding between Muslims and Christians through emphasis on shared values that transcend religious and cultural differences. As well as underlined the importance of dialogue to strengthen the cooperation and to make mutual recognition which has served as a platform to exchange experiences of living together in peace at the local, national and international level.
The conference focused on the following subject “In order to better understanding between Muslims and Christians".
The participants agreed on a common message based on the following principles:
1 - Christians and Muslims declare their faith in God the Creator the one that brings us together, and that this faith establishes a common space for dialogue in the future.
2 - Muslims and Christians declare that our concepts about God are different and should not be a source of a lack of confidence.
3 - Agree that the deep love of God calls us to love everyone and respect for the views and rights regardless of religious or political beliefs.
4 - Bind to Christian values and Islamic principles of human rights, for example, issue of human dignity and freedom of expression and religious freedom, equality and the right to life and women's rights and justice for all.
5 - Christians and Muslims share the moral values such as compassion and attention to the weak and mutual respect.
6 - We consider that the core values of Islam and Christianity are the source of the enrichment of our societies.
7 - Individuals and religious groups are an essential part of and active in the community, religious differences must be a source of enrichment for the rights of cultural, political, and religious of all.
8 - We commit ourselves to promoting a culture of equality and a better understanding and value of citizenship in the community through awareness and the use of the media and educational curricula.
During the conference, on behalf of the Armenian Evangelical Community, Rev. H. Selimian stressed that the dialogue is a way of life in Syria and other Arab states, and the dialogue of life is more important than the theological dialogue.
Rev.H. Selimian said. "We have agreed that the theological dialogue must emerge from a dialogue of life today." Also added, "Religious extremism hurts all Islamic and Christian societies because of extremism in stray away rationality and love and life that appeals to equality between the members of the community on their differences."
At the end, Selimian concluded: "We have agreed that the themes that unite us are more themes that divide us, and we must invest axes to create a positive, constructive life safe and sound, especially in Europe and the Arab countries."