LEONZIO VANANDETZI, saint, martyr. - An Armenian priest, one of the foremost disciples of Saints Mesrob and Sahak, he was sent by them to Byzantium with other companions for sacred studies in the period 431–34.
Having returned to his native land, he devoted himself to translating Holy Scripture and the works of the Fathers. L. inspired the uprising of the Armenian people against the decree of dechristianization issued by Jezdegerd II of Persia, and then encouraged the army of Armenian volunteers in the battle of Avarair (451). L. was arrested together with the prelates and other Armenian priests and, after atrocious tortures, received the crown of martyrdom along with five other companions: Joseph the Katholikós (patriarch), Sahak, bishop, and Muscé, Arsen, and Kaciac, priests. Their feast is celebrated by the Armenian Church on the Tuesday eight days before Ash Wednesday.