St. Ignatius Maloyan was an Armenian Catholic archbishop martyred during the Armenian Genocide. He is remembered for his unwavering faith and leadership during a time of great persecution.
St. Ignatius Shoukrallah Maloyan was born on April 19, 1869, in Mardin, then part of the Ottoman Empire. Recognizing his vocation early, he entered the Monastery of Bzommar in Lebanon at the age of 14. Ordained a priest in 1896, he took the name Ignatius in honor of St. Ignatius of Antioch. His pastoral work led him to serve in Egypt and later in Constantinople.
In 1911, he was appointed Archbishop of Mardin, where he became known for his deep spirituality, dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and commitment to his flock. During the Armenian Genocide in 1915, Archbishop Maloyan was arrested along with hundreds of Armenian Christians. Despite torture and threats, he refused to renounce his faith. On June 11, 1915, he was martyred, steadfastly proclaiming his Christian faith until the end.
His beatification was proclaimed by Pope John Paul II on October 7, 2001, recognizing his martyrdom and virtuous life. On March 31, 2025, Pope Francis approved his canonization, affirming his sanctity and the enduring legacy of his faith.