In memory of Rev. Henry Manoukian
A sweet brother, a loving man, dear Henry is not with us today, but his joy and memories are always with us.
The echo of his resounding voice is still heard in our city, “the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.”
It seemed like yesterday, I saw him in front of the central church. He had been a believer for 13 days. He was sitting alone on the steps of the church, tired of a lifetime of loneliness. He said his name and we became friends from that day on. At that time, no one knew that he would be the joyful evangelist of our city and country, the herald of the Gospel in every corner and village, the companion of Christ, the joy of sad hearts.
A lifetime of loneliness had passed, now he had a big family. That day was the beginning of a joyful friendship. We were always happy and smiling with him. With him, laughter never left our lips. His words were a relief from pain and his presence was an escape from sorrow. He made joy out of the pain within us, and from the wounds of childhood and the helplessness of youth, he made us a balm of joy and hope. One day we cried a lot together, he talked about his pain. I had never seen him like this before. But even through his tears, he made me happy. I had no balm except prayer and a warm hand that I passed over his trembling shoulder. He never told anyone his sorrows because he had a heart that only wanted to make hearts happy. We laughed and cried with him, we worshipped with him, we lived with him. How could he be disappointed with him? A great man with a childlike heart and being. Behind a man, you could see a child who loved everyone and wanted to make everyone happy. He wiped away people's tears with joy. We used to say jokingly, you will make the angels laugh and be happy in heaven. Yes, today the heaven is happy and we are sad, the heaven has found its friend and we are without a friend. We all rejoice when we meet him, the patient on the bed would smile, the light of hope would shine in the heart of the hopeless and helpless person. He was not just Henry's brother or priest. He was the sweet Henry, beloved by everyone. Today he is not there and all of us who laughed with him will cry, but amidst the tears we will laugh with him again, perhaps a bitter and Longing to see him again. We will miss him for his joys and sorrows. For his childlike and pure heart.
Today, with a heavy heart, we say goodbye to our sweet and kind brother. But many in heaven will greet him with, "Hail, brave evangelist. I am the one who gave me the gospel, seasoned with a smile. Both of them transformed me."
His voice still echoes in our city, “the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Pastor Rafi Shahvardian
FCNN
