In Memoriam: Yn. Yefkin Megherian (1924-2026)

With the deepest sorrow, St. Nersess Armenian Seminary mourns the loss of Yeretzgin Yefkin Megherian, who passed away on January 1, 2026, after more than a century of life.

Yn. Yefkin, wife of the late Fr. Vartan Megherian (d. 1984), was an exemplary and beloved figure in our Diocese: a grace-filled soul; supremely talented as an artist; gentle and compassionate in her demeanor; with a sustaining inner strength born of her faith in Christ.

We are forever grateful to Yn. Yefkin for creating and donating two sculptures to the seminary: one of Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, the founder of St. Nersess Seminary, which stands tall in our Founder’s Garden and another of his brother, Dr. Dn. Hagop Nersoyan, which is displayed in our library.

Beyond her personal accomplishments, Yn. Yefkin was the last surviving member of a unique and historic group of servants of our Diocese, who came to be known as the “Class of 1948.” They were a group of five deacons who were brought to America by Tiran Srpazan, and who as married priests went on to become the nucleus of a new generation of educated clergy for our Diocese. They were Fr. Vartan Megherian, Fr. Garen Gdanian, Fr. Arnak Kasparian, Fr. Arten Ashjian, and Fr. Shahe Altounian—all ordained in 1948. Each of these pastors and their wives devoted every minute of their lives to the Armenian Church. Der Vartan was the first of the group to leave us; and Yn. Yefkin has now joined him at last. Click here to read more about her extraordinary life.