Dr. Elie Aramouni

Something broke in me when I knew that Dr. Elie Aramouni has prepared his departure to God. People are One Body in Christ. I like to interpret this by saying that, with his departure, I lost a great support. I recall him the day my wife fell ill in 2008. He was one of a few people who told me she would survive. His presence in my life was a blessing, a constant uprising against every illusion that wants us to be convinced that we can pass through this life all alone. A few days ago, I spoke about his critical condition with the amazingly humane medical director at the hospital in which he practiced. He told me about him to the effect that he is enfolded with the care of the Saints. Elie has departed too early. He was not able, as he had promised me, to be with us for the Holy Week services. He decided to cross through it in a room that is open to a heaven that sees and hears. The word that Metropolitan Silouan Moussi said to him, as he visited him in the room: “God is with you”, meant a lot to him. When he repeated it before me, his awareness that his path to the last Pascha is paved was made manifest.