The St. Ghevontian Martyrs (The Leontine Martyrs, Ghevondyank) were a group of clergymen persecuted after the Battle of Vardanants in 451 AD. By order of the Persian King Yazdegerd II (439–457 AD), they were arrested and taken first to Hyrcania and later to the Apar region, where they were imprisoned under harsh conditions in the city of Nishapur.
To save their lives, they were repeatedly urged to renounce Christianity and adopt Mazdaism, the fire-worshiping religion of the Persians. However, they firmly refused, remaining steadfast in their Christian faith and placing their hope in salvation and eternal life through Christ.
In 454 AD, after the Persians suffered a devastating defeat in their battles against the Kushans, the court magi blamed the Armenian clergy, claiming that as long as they remained alive, the gods would not show favor to the Persians. As a result, the Ghevontians were tortured and martyred by order of King Yazdegerd II.
History has preserved the names of the St. Ghevontian Martyrs: Catholicos Hovsep Vayotsdzortsi (Joseph I of Armenia), Bishop Sahak Rshtuni, Priests Ghevont (Leontius of Vanand), Mushe, Samuel, and Arshen, Deacons Abraham and Kajaj. Elder Bishop Tatik of Basen was separately exiled to Susiana, where he was martyred.
Accompanying them were Priests Abraham and Khoren, who were also exiled. After some time, unable to endure the scorching heat of Assyria, Priest Khoren passed away. Later, Priest Abraham was granted permission to return to his homeland, where he was consecrated as Bishop of the Bznunik province. He is credited with the Armenian translation of the Assyrian work Testimony of the Eastern Lands.