Leontine martyrs

The Leontine Martyrs were a group of people who were killed after a long period of captivity in Persia. They were executed by the order of King Yazdegerd II in 455, five years after the insurrection led by Vartan Mamikonian.

They included:

• Leontius of Vanand, a priest,
• Joseph of Armenia, a patriarch of Armenia
• Abraham of Arazd, a deacon of Armenia

and several others.

Veneration

The group is commemorated as saints. Their feast day is July 31. In the Armenian Orthodox Church, their office is celebrated on the Tuesday after the western Sexagesima, and they are regarded as the patron saints of the Armenian clergy.

References

• Holweck, F. G. A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints. St. Louis, MO: B. Herder Book Co. 1924.