This transcript documents the memorial service for Bishop Dr. Edward Hovsepian-Mehr, a prominent leader in the Iranian Christian community, held on July 25, 2026. The ceremony, hosted by the Iranian Christian Church of North London and the Hamgam Council, serves as a comprehensive retrospective of his 60-year ministry, his role in the Iranian house church movement, and his personal legacy as a mentor and father figure.

Key Takeaways

Rev. Dr. Feridoon Mokhof welcomes attendees, emphasizing the celebration of life and hope in the resurrection. On behalf of the leadership of the Iranian Christian Church of North London and the Hamgam Council, I thank you for joining us to celebrate the life of Brother Edward. We do not dwell in death, for we have the blessed hope of the resurrection.

Rev. Kourosh Jahanshahi leads a prayer of gratitude for Edward’s 60+ years of service and his role as a “father” to the church. Lord Jesus, we come with hearts full of grief but hopeful in Your grace. We thank You for our shepherd, Brother Edward. We thank You for his 60 years of service, his 23 years in North London, and for showing us the true face of Christ

Rev. Mansour Borji introduces the service’s purpose: honouring a legacy of unity and love.

Led by “Time for Worship,” featuring hymns in Persian and English (Blessed Assurance).

Rev. Katrin Alldavoodi reads 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 in English and Persian.

Rev. Sooren Sarkissian reads a detailed biography covering Edward’s birth in 1950, his ministry in Iran and London, and his passing.

Hallelujah. Jesus is Lord. Brother Edward has entered heaven powerfully. He was one of the most prominent leaders of the Iranian church.

Rev. Sooren Sarkissian

Bishop Dr. Edward Hovsepian-Mehr was born on May 9, 1950, in Tehran. Alongside his martyred brother, Bishop Haik, he served through the most difficult eras of the Iranian church. He was a pioneer of the house church movement and a father to the Persian-speaking diaspora in London. He fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.

1950 | Birth | Born in Tehran to an Armenian family.

1963 | Conversion | Accepted Christ at age 13 under Leon Hayrapetian.

1970 | Early Ministry | Sent to Isfahan for pastoral service at age 20.

1986 | Tehran Leadership | Appointed Senior Pastor of the Central Church in Tehran.

1994 | Crisis Leadership | Assumed oversight of Iranian AG churches after Bishop Haik’s martyrdom.

1996 | House Church Movement | Pioneered the transition to house church networks in Iran.

2001 | Relocation to UK | Moved to England; began serving the London diaspora.

2003-2026 | Expansion | Founded North London Iranian Church and the Hamgam Council.

2026 | Passing | Deceased July 26, 2026.

Jenik Oshian performs a worship piece.

Tributes from Lydia, Celine, and Sophia (daughters/granddaughters) reading poetry.

Brother Ahmad, Rev. Dr. Mehrdad Fatehi, and Dr. Dana Allin share reflections on Edward’s humility and theological depth.

Mentorship Model: Described as a leader who followed a four-step Christ-like mentorship: performing the service, serving alongside others, observing others serve, and finally empowering them to lead independently.

Brother Ahmad

Humility in Authority: Despite his vast influence, he was noted for his willingness to admit mistakes and his lack of ego, often supporting younger leaders (like Dr. Fatehi) even when their departure for further study created operational gaps.

Dr Mehrdad Fatehi

Vision for Iran: Dr. Allin noted that while Edward’s vision for a free and transformed Iran was not fully realized in his lifetime, his work significantly shortened the distance to that goal.

Dr Dana Allin

A message from Rev. George Hovsepian (Brother).

Joseph Hovsepian (Nephew) shares personal memories of Edward as a father figure after his own father’s martyrdom.

“How can one speak of a man who touched thousands in three minutes? After my Dad, Haik was martyred, Edward filled that void. He was the most balanced servant I knew—powerful in prayer but always ready to talk about football or share a joke.”

Joseph Hovsepian

Amir Javadzadeh performs a musical tribute.

Rev. Miltan Daniel, Dr. Charles Gogbashian, and Hussein Amiri share stories of Edward’s impact in Urmia and London.

“I was a fanatical Assyrian and an addict when I first met Edward in Urmia. He didn’t judge me. He once left his wallet on the table just so I wouldn’t have to steal if I needed money. That was the heart of the man—radical grace. Edward belongs to all of us. In Urmia, I tried to harass him because he was an Armenian speaking Farsi in an Assyrian church. But his love changed me. He was a true friend who loved in every situation.”

Rev. Miltan Daniel

When I heard Edward was coming to England, I was delighted. When you looked at his face, you saw holiness, joy, and humility. He was a man full of the Holy Spirit, generous, and funny. I feel as though my right arm has been cut off.

Charles Gogbashian

A second session led by “Time for Worship.”

Hebrews 11:4 says that though Abel is dead, he still speaks. Edward’s life tells us that Jesus is worth our total devotion. He taught us that God prefers faithfulness over success. It is not about how you start, but how you finish the race.

Rev. Dr. Feridoon Mokhof

The Rev. Canon Omid Moludy

Hadi Haji-Mohammadi recites an original poem dedicated to Edward.

Short testimonies from believers in Iran.

Worship & Thanksgiving

Led by Rev. Kamil Navai, Dr. Mojdeh Shirvanian, and others.

Nassi Mirpanji (Wife) and Rosita Kennedy (Daughter) thank the community.

I am also deeply grateful to each and every one of you who even came from far away countries to be at this event. After our father went to heaven, my prayer was that God, through this sudden death, you would give us a message and one of Mother Teresa’s quotes spoke to my heart so much these days that I felt that it was true to some extent in relation to our father and I wanted to read this quote and I hope that this quote has a message for us survivors. Mother Teresa says that at the end of our lives we will not be judged by the number of degrees we have received, the amount of money we have earned or the great things we have done, but by this. I was hungry, you fed me. I was thirsty, you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, you accepted me. I was naked, you covered me. I was sick, you took care of me. You came to see me when I was in prison. Hungry, not just hungry for bread, but also hungry for love. Naked, not just naked, but deprived of human respect. Homeless, not just without a brick and stone home, but homeless because of rejection. I think all of us in the family and many of you can testify that our father tried to implement these things in his life as much as possible, and hopefully, just like Mother Teresa said, we can do big things with love – small things with great love for God and show our love in action towards others. Because one day at the throne of God’s judgment, we will have to give an account for the actions we have done, selfless actions out of love and affection, and I think my father was a very good example in this regard. Thank you very much again to all of you.

Rozita Kennedy (Nee Hovsepian)

Rev. Mansour Borji provides closing remarks and logistics.

Rev. Dr. Feridoon Mokhof: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forevermore. Amen.

The service concluded with a call to the next generation to carry the “torch” of humility, unity, and service. The prevailing sentiment was summarized by the biblical reference to 2 Timothy 4:7: “He fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.”