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In the Gospel according to Matthew, after Jesus hears the heartbreaking news of the beheading of John the Baptist, He withdraws to a quiet place in prayer and reflection. It is a moment of grief, sorrow, and deep human pain. Yet, when He sees the crowds waiting for Him, He does not turn them away. Instead, moved with compassion, He feeds the five thousand. In one of the most powerful moments of the Gospel, Christ transforms pain into service, sorrow into compassion, and personal loss into an act of love for others.

Tonight, as we honor our Woman of the Year, Mrs. Nayda Voskerijian, I cannot help but think of that sacred image.

Life placed before her a profound and unimaginable loss when she lost her beloved husband on September 11th. Such a tragedy could have broken the spirit of any person. Yet, like the example we see in the Gospel, she transformed pain into service, grief into strength, and suffering into a deeper commitment to her family, her Church, and her community.

When I was a young seminarian, the late Suren Serpazan, the beloved Prelate of Aleppo, visited our seminary. During one of his talks, he spoke about the Armenian community of Aleppo (Perio Tem) and described it as “the yeast.” At the time, I did not fully understand what he meant by that analogy.

He explained that you could take any individual from the Armenian community of Aleppo, place them within any other Armenian community in the world, and you would witness how they enrich, energize, and transform the life of that community, just as yeast gives life to dough.

Over the years, I came to understand the depth of that wisdom through the life and service of Mrs. Nayda Voskerijian, who is a beautiful embodiment of that analogy within our Armenian community in NY. Through her dedication, leadership, warmth, and tireless spirit of service, she has helped strengthen and enrich the life of our community in countless ways.

Some people are gifted in intellectual and strategic work. Others are gifted in practical, hands-on service. Very rarely do you find a person who can move so naturally and gracefully between both worlds. Nayda is one of those rare individuals.

When I first began my ministry at St. Sarkis Church, Nayda was serving on the Board of Trustees, the body responsible for vision, leadership, planning, and the important decisions that guide the life of the parish. At the same time, she was deeply involved in the Ladies Guild, where the work is often far less visible yet far more demanding: organizing bake sales, preparing food, setting up events, cleaning up afterward, and tending to the countless details that make parish life possible.

What has always impressed me about Nayda is that she never saw any work as beneath her. She could spend countless hours in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, working quietly and tirelessly alongside everyone else, and then later that evening appear at a formal community event with elegance, grace, and dignity. In her, humility and refinement coexist so naturally that you almost forget how rare that combination truly is.

She embodies a kind of leadership that does not seek attention but simply serves wherever service is needed. She understands that true class is not measured by appearance or status, but by the ability to remain grounded, generous, and approachable while carrying oneself with dignity and excellence.

Nayda is an integral part of Armenian community life in New York. She has served as a member of the Board of Trustees and as a delegate to the National Representative Assembly at St. Sarkis Church, and also on the Executive Council of the Prelacy. 

It’s hard to imagine any significant church, cultural, or community event occurring without her thoughtful involvement. Whether welcoming His Holiness Aram Vehapar to our community, helping organize Prelacy and church banquets, supporting school galas, or participating in countless cultural and charitable events, Nayda contributes not just her time and energy but also her exceptional taste, wisdom, and attention to detail.

Behind so many successful gatherings and meaningful moments stands her quiet yet indispensable presence, ensuring that everything is done beautifully, thoughtfully, and with love.

Nayda has a remarkable gift for working with young children. I remember vividly asking her to take charge of Group A at the St. Sarkis Church Summer Camp Program, the youngest age group and, as many of you know, often the most demanding and most dreaded group to supervise. But just as it happens in many churches, once a pastor asks a capable parishioner to take on a responsibility, it somehow becomes a lifelong ministry! And Nayda embraced that responsibility with love, patience, and unwavering dedication for many years.

Her care for children extends far beyond summer camp. To this day, she faithfully spends five days a week at Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School, supervising Hye Bardez and tutoring students who need extra help learning Armenian. She understands that preserving our language and identity begins with investing time, patience, and love into the next generation.

On a personal note, when our youngest son, Avedis, became a student at Holy Martyrs, Nayda unofficially became his personal chauffeur. Every morning, she would stop by our home with a booster seat already prepared for young Avedis and drive him to school with the care and attentiveness of a grandmother. Along the way, she patiently listened to all his toddler stories, negotiated his ever-changing whims and wishes for bagels or snacks, and somehow kept him entertained and happy before school even began. And perhaps not surprisingly, those daily rides left a lasting impression on him. To this day, Avedis has developed a very refined taste for a specific car brand!

Another personal memory that has stayed with me took place during a major renovation project at our home. For a significant period of time, we had no functioning kitchen, and daily life had become chaotic and exhausting. One afternoon, Nayda quietly stopped by carrying trays of hot homemade food. But she did not simply drop the food off and leave. She lovingly set the table, served us dinner in our own home, and created a moment of warmth and normalcy in the middle of all the disruption.

And, in true Nayda fashion, she had also prepared extra meals for the days ahead, ensuring our family would continue to be cared for even after she left. It was such a simple gesture on the surface, yet it reflected something profound about who she is: attentive, thoughtful, nurturing, and always quietly looking after others without ever seeking recognition.

That same spirit of love and devotion is most beautifully reflected in her family life. Nayda is the proud and loving mother of her three children — Shont, Isabel, and Aleene — and the adoring grandmother of her handsome grandson, Garo, who brings immense joy and pride to her life.

As I reflect on all these memories and moments, my mind returns once again to the words of the late Suren Serpazan and his beautiful analogy about the Armenian community of Aleppo being like yeast; something small and humble in appearance, yet capable of bringing life, growth, warmth, and transformation wherever it is placed.

Over the years, I have come to realize that Nayda herself has been that yeast within our community.

Through her faith, resilience, generosity, leadership, elegance, and quiet acts of love, she has helped nurture and elevate the life of our parish and our broader Armenian community in countless visible and invisible ways. She has touched the lives of children, families, clergy, friends, and community members simply by being consistently present, dependable, and loving. Her presence has enriched us, strengthened us, and inspired us. 

She truly is the yeast that has helped our community rise.

Tonight, with gratitude, admiration, and love, I invite Mrs. Nayda Voskerijian to come forward and receive the inaugural “Woman of the Year” Award, an honor bestowed for the very first time by the Armenian Prelacy in recognition of a life devoted to faith, family, service, and community.