Rev. Henry Manukyan Passed Away at Age 62
With deepest sorrow and sympathy, we extend our condolences to the Persian-speaking Christian community on the passing of our beloved brother, Rev. Henry Manukyan. Rev. Manukyan passed away on Thursday morning, December 22, 2016, at 7:50 AM in Ankara, Turkey due to cardiac arrest and entered the eternal embrace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Rev. Henry Manukyan, husband of Marina and father of three daughters named Tatiana, Anastasia, and Svetlana, was forced into exile from Iran following the cruel and repeated persecution by the Islamic Republic regime. He and his family sought refuge in Turkey and faced extremely difficult circumstances there.
Rev. Henry Manukyan witnessed the tragic event of authorities transferring books from the church to special vehicles. With God’s help, he survived two heart attacks; however, these pressures and persecutions caused his physical condition to deteriorate severely over the past five months. His problems began with his liver and gradually led to kidney failure, necessitating dialysis. On December 22, 2016, before undergoing dialysis, Rev. Manukyan suffered cardiac arrest, and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.
Henry Manukyan was born in Tehran in 1954. Although born into a Christian family, he viewed Christianity only through religious law and had not experienced a personal relationship with God or spiritual rebirth. In his youth, Henry became addicted to heroin, and as he himself stated, Satan through addiction had darkened everything in his life. However, God had a wonderful plan for His child.
On June 15, 1979, at age 25, while imprisoned in Qasr Prison in Tehran, Henry, after learning about Jesus Christ being the Son of God, made the decision to surrender his heart, soul, and spirit to the living God, Jesus Christ, and received spiritual rebirth through the Holy Spirit of God. From that day forward, Henry Manukyan entered into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
God restored health and joy to Henry’s life. Henry discovered the liberating power found in faith in Jesus Christ and devoted his life to serving God’s Word and preaching the message of Jesus Christ. He became a blessing and source of freedom for many of his countrymen who, like himself, were living in the bondage of addiction.
However, the Islamic Republic regime was hostile to Henry Manukyan from the very beginning of his ministry and used every means possible to prevent his service and the service of other ministers in Iran. These unjust and inhumane pressures and persecutions continued to pursue Henry even in Turkey.
Henry married Marina in 1985. This marriage resulted in three daughters. Henry and Marina lived together for 31 years with love, devotion, and God’s blessings.
Henry Manukyan, after 26 years of service at the Church of Divine Assembly Center, was ordained as a priest in 2005. Throughout his brilliant ministry for God, he became the instrument of salvation, transformation, and change for hundreds of people both in Iran and in Turkey.
The Persian-Speaking Christian News Network (FCNN), on behalf of this news agency, the Church Council 222, and the Divine Assembly Council of Iran, extends our condolences to the esteemed and distinguished Manukyan family and prays to God for patience and Christian peace for these beloved ones.
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” – Revelation 14:13
The funeral service for Rev. Henry Manukyan will be held in Ankara, Turkey and conducted by the ministers of Church Council 222 and the Divine Assembly Council of Iran.
For more information regarding the funeral service, please contact us at [email protected].
FCNN News Room
