Vatican to Declare Armenian Genocide Martyr Archbishop Maloyan a Saint

The Vatican has announced that Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan, a martyr of the Armenian Genocide, will be officially proclaimed a saint this October. The canonization ceremony will take place on October 19, 2025, at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, with Pope Leo XIV leading the solemn Mass. This moment is being described as a historic event for both the Armenian people and the global Catholic Church.

Blessed Ignatius Maloyan was born as Shukrallah Melkon in 1869 in the city of Mardin, located in present-day Turkey. In 1911, he was consecrated as Bishop of Mardin for the Armenian Catholic Church. Only a few years later, in 1915, as the Armenian Genocide unfolded, Maloyan was arrested by Ottoman authorities. He was tortured and pressured to abandon his faith and convert to Islam. Maloyan refused. On June 11, 1915, at the age of 46, he was executed together with hundreds of Armenians and Syriacs who were deported from their homes.

Maloyan is remembered not only as a bishop but also as a spiritual leader who gave courage to his flock in a time of terror. He left behind a written testament urging faith and loyalty even in the face of death. For Armenian Catholics, his martyrdom became a powerful example of resilience and hope. More broadly, his story stands as a witness to the suffering endured during what is widely recognized as the first genocide of the 20th century, in which more than one million Armenians were killed.

Recognition of Maloyan’s sacrifice began decades later. In 2001, Pope John Paul II beatified him as a martyr, declaring him “Blessed” and affirming his death in defense of the Christian faith. Earlier in 2025, Pope Francis gave final approval for Maloyan’s canonization, opening the way for him to be listed officially among the saints of the Catholic Church. This step not only shows his personal holiness but also elevates his life as an enduring source of inspiration for Christians around the world.

Historians say that Archbishop Maloyan’s life and death are closely tied to the tragic events of 1915. Yet his story also shows the survival of faith and identity despite attempts to erase an entire people. The upcoming canonization is expected to draw pilgrims, church leaders, and dignitaries from across the globe. For many, it will be both a day of remembrance for the victims of the Armenian Genocide and a celebration of the victory of faith over violence and oppression.

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