On the field of Avarayr, outnumbered Armenian fighters
faced a mighty Persian army. St. Vartan and his companions saw a military
defeat, but their unyielding commitment to defend their faith ultimately
thwarted the Persians, and ensured that Christianity would endure in Armenia. .
Two days prior to the Feast of Sts. Vartanantz, the
Armenian Church remembers the sacrifice of St. Leontius (Ghevont) the priest
and his companions. St. Ghevont is one of the great exemplars of the Armenian
priesthood, remembered for his courage and resolution at the Battle of Avarayr.
On the eve of battle, Ghevont celebrated the Divine
Liturgy, distributed Holy Communion, and baptized soldiers who had not yet been
baptized in the Armenian Church. He also delivered a stirring sermon, stressing
that neither the Persian forces nor death could undermine the soldiers’ union
with Christ.
Each year clergy of the Eastern Diocese hold regional
gatherings in observance of Ghevontiantz Day. At St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn,
NJ, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian will preside over the
celebration of the Divine Liturgy on February 5, beginning at 11 a.m. Clergy in
New England will gather at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church in Providence, RI,
where the Divine Liturgy will begin at 11 a.m. In the Midwest, the observance
will take place at Sts. Joachim and Anne Church in Palos Heights, IL, beginning
at 10 a.m.
Click here
http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/feasts/leontius-the-priest/?utm_source=Eastern+Diocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=7d87affc6e-February_9_20122_9_2012&utm_medium=email
to learn more about St. Leontius and his companions.
Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
[publicrelations=armeniandiocese.org@mail543.us2.mcsv.net]
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