In Memory of Priest Henry Manukian

A brotherhood of a sweet and beloved man, dear Henry is no longer with us today, but his joy and memories will always be with us.

The echo of his resonant voice is still heard in our city, “The Gospel of the Savior Jesus Christ”.

It seems like yesterday when I saw him in front of the central church, it had been 13 days since he had believed. He was sitting alone on the church steps, tired from a lifetime of solitude. He told me his name, and from that day on we became friends. At that time, no one knew that he would become the joyful evangelist of our city and land, and a herald of the Gospel in every street and lane, the companion of Christ bringing joy to sorrowful hearts.

A lifetime of solitude had passed, now he had a large family. That day was the beginning of a joyful friendship. With him we were always happy and smiling. With him, laughter never left our lips. His words were a balm for sorrows, and his presence was an escape from grief. From his own pain he created joy for us, and from the wounds of childhood and the loneliness of youth, he made healing balm and hope for us. One day we cried together, he spoke of his pain. I had never seen him like that. But even through his tears, he brought me joy. I had no remedy except prayer and a warm hand that I placed on his trembling shoulder. He never spoke his sorrows to anyone because he had a heart that wanted only to make people happy. We laughed with him and wept, we worshipped with him, we lived with him. How could one become disheartened with him? A great man with a childlike heart and being. Beyond a man you saw childhood that loved everyone and wanted to make everyone happy. He wiped people’s tears away with joy. We would teasingly say to him, you will make the angels in heaven laugh and will bring them joy. Yes, today heaven is joyful and we are grieving, heaven has received its companion and we are left without a companion. Everyone became happy from seeing him, the sick on their bed would smile, in the heart of the desperate and helpless a light of hope would shine. He was not just a brother or Priest Henry. He was sweet Henry, beloved by all. Today he is gone and all of us who laughed with him shed tears, but even amid tears we laugh with him again, perhaps a bitter laughter and longing to see him once more. Our hearts will ache for him for his joys and sorrows. For his childlike and pure heart.

Today we say with a grieving heart, farewell sweet and kind brother. But many in heaven will welcome him and say “Greetings to you, my brave evangelist, the same one who gave me the Gospel seasoned with a smile. Both transformed me”.

The echo of his voice in our city is still heard, “The Gospel of the Savior Jesus Christ”.

Priest Raffi Shahurdian

FCNN