This Tuesday, February 6, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Holy Ghevontian (Leontine) priests. After the battle of Vartanantz, a number of priests and deacons were abducted by the Persian king and imprisoned, tortured and martyred. Ghevont is revered as the leader of the group because he was an advisor to Vartan Mamigonian, and he is remembered for the inspiring message he delivered on the eve of the battle of Avarayr. Ghevont, who was highly educated, assisted Sahag and Mesrob in translating the Bible into Armenian.
The Ghevontian Fathers, martyred in 454 are: Catholicos Hovsep; Bishops Sahag and Tatig; Priests Ghevont, Moushegh, Arshen, Manuel, Abraham, and Khoren; Deacons Kachach and Abraham.