The memorial service for Adolf Andreyevich Pichaj took place at Rose Hill Memorial Park on April 17. The service was attended by about 200 people who were the relatives, close friends, and fellow ministers. Adolf Andreyevich left behind a good impression on many, including those who attended the funeral. He was a husband, father, pastor, secretary and later the head of the literature department at the Association. He did a lot of other ministries that were indicative of the sacrificial service of this man of God! There were many wonderful memories, vivid stories, as well as images that were shared from the life of Adolf!
The memorial service was attended by pastors from the neighboring churches: Oleg Konopyolkin, Vasiliy Rogozyan, Yuriy Ovcharenko, Anatoliy Ageyev, George Kuzichev, and many others. On behalf of the Association, I would like to express my condolences to the relatives, his wife Raisa, and children Mark and Linda. I met Adolf Andreyevich at the Hollywood church in 1992. He and his wife Raisa invited me to visit them for lunch. This was a wonderful time of fellowship. After many years, I still remember the simplicity, accessibility, and transparency of this brother in Christ.
As a pastor, he was able to organize and lead the children in playing the “flute” during the Sunday’s church service. Adolf always had his own photo camera, and that is why he was able to leave so many memorable pictures. He loved to study new technology and implement them into his own life. For example, he was able to make use of the computer in the publication of the “Our Days” paper in the late 80s. His library contains a variety of books in all kinds of subjects. He also continued to constantly improve himself in various levels.
In 2009, he wrote an interesting book called “Under the Shadow of the Almighty”, sharing how his family ended up outside of the home country, first in Germany, then Brazil, Germany, and then in the U.S. Today this book can be ordered through “Our Days”. He is one of the last representatives of the immigrants who began their journey in America after the II World War. They went through Argentina, Brazil, China, and many other countries around the world. Many representatives of this wave of immigration are now with the Lord in the paradise of God.
Adolf Andreyevich was active in serving the leadership of our Association. He was dedicated to the ministry. The proof of this is the fact that over the course of his entire life, he has not missed a single convention of Pacific Coast’s Association of ECB churches.
The funeral was truly “a celebration of life”, and, more specifically, of what God did through the life of His servant Adolf Pichaj. His enthusiasm, liveliness, and readiness to serve the Lord in the Gospel ministry will always remain in our memories! While looking at the beautiful burial grounds of Adolf PichajI thought that thanks to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have a living hope for the resurrection of our bodies and eternal life in His presence, where all this temporary pales in comparison with the eternal glory in the presence of the Risen One. Death is defeated! Brother Adolf sincerely believed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that is why we know that our separation with him is only temporary!
Ivan Mileyev
