Cross-stone dedicated to Armenian Genocide victims installed in Saint-Chamond, France

At the initiative of Kajaran Mayor Manvel Paramazyan, an Armenian khachkar (cross-stone) dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide has been installed in the courtyard of the Armenian Catholic Church of St. Gregory of Narek in Saint-Chamond, France.

The Kajaran City Hall said in a statement that this significant event is another important step toward strengthening the friendly relations between the sister cities of Kajaran and Saint-Chamond, preserving Armenian cultural and spiritual heritage, and presenting it to the international community.

Kajaran Mayor Manvel Paramazyan, Saint-Chamond Mayor Axel Dugua, representatives of the municipal authorities, clergy, members of the local Armenian community, and guests attended the solemn ceremony.

Following a special church service, the khachkar was consecrated by Bishop Elie Yéghia Yéghiayan, head of the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Sainte-Croix-de-Paris in France, with the blessing of Father Raphael Shefikyan. A Holy Mass was held during the day in memory of the holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.

During the ceremony, Manvel Paramazyan and Saint-Chamond Mayor Axel Dugua delivered speeches, emphasizing the importance of the warm relations established between the two communities, mutual cooperation, and the preservation of historical memory.

The event also held special significance for the Kajaran mayor. In recognition of his initiative and contribution to preserving Armenian spiritual and cultural values, Manvel Paramazyan was awarded the medal named after Saint Ignatius Maloyan by Bishop Elie Yéghia Yéghiayan, and the St. Gregory of Narek medal of the Armenian Catholic Church of Saint-Chamond by Father Raphael Shefikyan.

“The installation of the Armenian khachkar is a meaningful event not only for the Armenian community in France but also for all Armenians. It is a unique expression of the Armenian people's historical memory, Christian faith, national identity, and the unbreakable bond between generations. From now on, the Armenian khachkar in Saint-Chamond will stand as an enduring symbol of the perpetuation of the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, the resilience of the Armenian people, and the centuries-old friendship between Armenia and France,” Manvel Paramazyan said.