Emanoil Seicean (aka Manole Seicean, Bebe Seicean, Unchiu’ Bebe, Taya) was born on March 25th, 1932 in Tiur, Blaj, Alba county in Romania. He was the seventh child of the 11 of Constantin and Ana Seicean.
Following the Second World War, the whole family moves to Ploiesti where they start their own small grocery store. At 14 years of age, Emanoil begins an electrician apprenticeship and attends a trade school.
Originally of Greek Catholic religion, the parents and the older children convert to the Baptist faith becoming members of the local Baptist church in Ploiesti. They became known as a singing family and active in the church choir.
At the church, Emanoil meets Cornelia Dumitrascu, daughter of pastor Marin Dumitrascu, who becomes the love of his life. In September 12, 1954 the two unite their destinies in what is known for almost 65 years the family of Emanoil and Cornelia Seicean.
After marriage, Emanoil starts attending the evening school of Construction Engineering which he graduates a few years later.
In 1955, the couple welcome with joy their first child, daughter Ligia Emanuela. The following year they rejoice at the birth of their first son, Valentin Corneliu. In 1962 Daniel Ovidiu completes the family as the third child.
In the church life, Emanoil grows from an active member into a strong leader. He becomes the choir director and he is also elected as a church board member. He fulfills his responsibilities as an father and husband, engineer and church leader for more than 20 years.
As an engineer at Institutul de Proiectari Prahova Emanoil becomes almost irreplaceable in his position. Even when sick, the head of the department would seek his counsel and approval on major projects. Although very esteemed professionally, because of his faith, under the Communist regime in Romania, he is omitted from promotions. He denies opportunities to advance his career by becoming a member of the Communist party, to keep his faith uncompromised.
In 1976, the Securitate begins interrogating Pastor Iosif Ton, who has been since 1974 the pastor of the Baptist Church in Ploiesti. As a leader in the church, Emanoil is also interrogated and threatened with jail if he does not cooperate with the regime. Strengthened by God in his faith, he stays strong and does not bow to their demands. During those days, other outspoken anti-Communist preachers such as Aurel Popescu and Pavel Niculescu, are welcome in the Ploiesti church. The choir would perform with enthusiasm under the direction of Emanoil Seicean songs like “Dumnezeu e steagul meu” and “Exista Dumnezeu”.
In the 1980s, Emanoil contracts a serious skin disease. He would be hospitalized for more than a month at times because of the skin eruptions. The doctors are clueless about the origin and treatment of the disease. However, in His plan, God makes this disease a reason for him to be allowed by the Securitate to go to the United States, thinking he does not have long to live. In this way, in 1988 Emanoil and Cornelia obtain the visa to go to the United States to be with Valentin, their older son who had established himself by marriage in Chicago. Once in the United States, Emanoil and Cornelia were granted political asylum by the U.S. Government.
In 1989 they accompany Valentin and his family to Tigard, Oregon. In the same year, they help their daughter, Ligia and her three children to come to the United States. Ligia would establish herself in Vancouver, WA. In the year 2000, Daniel and his family arrive in Tigard, Oregon, fulfilling Emanoil and Cornelia’s desire to be close to their children and grandchildren.
His zeal to serve the church and worship God, motivates Emanoil to become an active member in the Romanian Baptist Church in Portland as well as the one in Beaverton. Aside their involvement in church ministry, Emanoil and Cornelia have a heart to support the poor and the orphans in Romania. With their personal funds as well as donations from the church, they help send hundreds of parcels with food and clothes in Romania. As long as they are healthy, they would go themselves and distribute those to churches and orphanages in Romania.
In almost 65 years of marriage, family plays a central role for Emanoil and Cornelia. They always encourage their children to study music and serve in the church. Also, Emanoil has a passion to demonstrate that the premise of “scientific proof against faith” promoted by the Communist regime is false. He encourages his children and all young believers to get an education and prove to the world that an educated person can also be a strong believer. Emanoil has always rejoiced of learning new scientific discoveries that would reveal the greatness of the divine wisdom and creation.
By his passing, Emanoil leaves behind his beloved wife Cornelia, their three children, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren who will all miss him and hope in an eternal reunion in Heaven.
Emanoil Seicean (aka Manole Seicean, Bebe Seicean, Unchiu’ Bebe, Taya) s-a nascut la 25 martie 1932 in comuna Tiur, de linga Blaj, judetul Alba. El a fost al saptelea din cei 11 copii ai lui Constantin si Ana Seicean.
Intreaga familie s-a mutat la Ploiesti in urma celui de al doilea razboi mondial. Acolo, la 14 ani, Emanoil a inceput sa lucreze ca ucenic de electrician bobinator si sa mearga la o scoala tehnica.
Original de credinta greco-catolica, intreaga familie se converteste la credinta Baptista. Ei au fost activi in biserica baptista din Ploiesti. Ei cintau ca familie si de asemenea in corul bisericii. In biserica, Emanoil a cunoscut-o pe Cornelia Dumitrascu, fata pastorului Marin Dumitrascu, care a devenit dragostea vietii lui. In septembrie 12, 1954 cei doi s-au unit in ceea ce a ramas pentru aproape 65 de ani familia Emanoil si Cornelia Seicean.
Dupa casatorie Emanoil a inceput facultatea de inginer in contructii la seral. In 1955 familia a primit cu bucurie primul copil, Ligia Emanuela. Un an mai tirziu s-au bucurat de nasterea lui Valentin Corneliu, primul lor baiat. Apoi, in 1962 s-a nascut al treilea copil, Daniel Ovidiu.
In viata de biserica, Emanoil a crescut dintr-un membru activ intr-un lider devenind dirijor al corului si membru in comitetul bisericii. El a impletit responsabilitatile de lucru, familie si biserica pentru mai mult de douazeci de ani.
Ca inginer de instalatii la Institutul de Proiectari Prahova a devenit de neinlocuit in pozitia lui. Chiar si atunci cind a fost bolnav, seful departamentului il cauta in spital ca sa ii ceara parerea in proiectele majore. Chiar daca era asa de apreciat profesional, din pricina credintei a fost omis de la promovari. El nu a vrut sa compromita credinta si a ramas tare atunci cind i se ofereau perspective de avansare daca devine membru de partid.
In 1976 cind Securitatea a inceput anchetarea fr. Iosif Ton, ce devenise in 1974 pastorul bisericii baptiste din Ploiesti, Emanoil a fost anchetat si amenintat cu inchisoarea daca nu tradeaza pe fratii sai. Din nou, Dumnezeu i-a dat putere sa ramina tare in credinta si sa nu se lase intimidat de amenintarile lor. In biserica din Ploiesti intotdeauna pastorii Aurel Popescu si Pavel Niculescu erau bineveniti. Iar cintari ca si “Exista Dumnezeu” si “Dumnezeu e steagul meu” erau cintate cu entuziasm de corul bisericii sub conducerea lui Emanoil Seicean.
In anii 1980, o grava boala de piele in trupul lui. Citeodata trebuia sa fie spitalizat pentru mai mult de o luna pina cind eruptiile bolii puteau fi continute. Doctorii nu stiau cum sa trateze boala. In planul Lui, Dumnezeu a facut ca aceasta boala sa faca sa creada pe cei de la Securitatea romana ca el nu mai are mult de trait. In felul acesta, in 1988 a primit viza sa plece in Statele Unite, la invitatia lui Valentin, baiatul mai mare, care se stabilise prin casatorie in Chicago. Astfel, Emanoil si Cornelia au ajuns in Statele Unite si au cerut azil politic care li s-a acordat.
In anul 1989 s-au mutat impreuna cu Valentin si familia lui in Tigard, Oregon. In anul 1990, Emanoil si Cornelia au facilitat venirea fetei lor, Ligia si familia ei in Statele Unite, care s-a stabilit in Vancouver, WA, iar in anul 2000, Daniel si familia lui au sosit in Tigard, Oregon. Astfel, dorinta lor ca sa fie alaturi de copiii si nepotii lor li s-a implinit.
Rivna lui de a sluji in biserica si de a lauda pe Dumnezeu, l-a facut pe Emanoil un membru activ atit in biserica romana baptista din Portland cit si in cea din Beaverton. Pe linga activitatea din biserica, Emanoil si Cornelia au avut o inima de a ajuta pe saracii si orfanii din Romania. Cu fonduri personale si donatii din biserica ei au trimis sute de pachete cu imbracaminte si mincare in Romania. Si atit cit sanatatea le-a permis mergeau anual in Romania sa distribuie ajutoare prin biserici si orfelinate.
In cei aproape 65 de ani de casatorie, pentru Emanoil si Cornelia familia a avut un loc central. Ei au incurajat pe copiii lor sa studieze muzica si sa slujeasca in biserica. De asemenea, Emanoil a cautat cu pasiune argumente pentru a combate premiza falsa, promovata de sistemul communist, ca stiinta este impotriva credintei. El a vrut ca toti copiii lui si in general tinerii credinciosi sa aiba studii superioare ca sa dovedeasca lumii ca poti fi un intelectual, un om educat si un bun credincios. A fost intotdeauna entuziasmat sa auda descoperiri stiintifice care sa arate maretia creatiei si intelepciunii divine.
Prin plecarea lui Emanoil lasa in urma pe iubita lui sotie Cornelia, pe cei trei copii ai lor, noua nepoti si sapte stranepoti care cu totii ii vor simti lipsa cu nadejdea revederii in vesnicie.
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