ARMENIA, MARTYRS OF, BB.

Also known as Salvatore Lilli of Cappadocia and companions, martyrs; d. Nov. 22, 1895, near Mujuk-Deresi, Cappadocia, Armenia (now eastern Turkey). Among the 100,000 civilians of Armenia slaughtered by the Turkish Army in 1895–96 were Franciscan Father Salvatore Lilli and seven of his parishioners.

Salvatore of Cappadocia (b. June 19, 1853 in Cappadocia) was the son of Vincenzo and Annunziata Lilli. He joined the Franciscans (1870), completed his studies in Bethlehem following the suppression of religious orders in Italy (1873), received presbyteral ordination in Jerusalem (April 16, 1878), and was sent to Marasco, Lesser Armenia (1880), where he was named pastor (1890). He diligently cared for the sick during a cholera epidemic (1890). In an effort to improve living conditions, Lilli established schools, clinics, and other social services.

In 1894, he was transferred to the mission at Mujuk-Deresi. When the violent persecution of Christians began the following year, Lilli's superiors twice urged him to leave, but he refused to abandon his flock. The following month Turkish soldiers invaded the convent, injuring many including Lilli as he tried to help others. The Christians were confined to a convent cell, where they were alternately abused and cajoled in an effort to convert them to Islam. Lilli urged the farmers imprisoned with him to remain steadfast. En route under guard to Marasco, they were ordered to apostatize; they refused and were killed.

Killed with Father Salvatore were seven of his parishioners: Jeremias (Ieremias) Ouglou Boghos, Lilli's assistant; David Oghlou David and his brother Toros Oghlou David; Khodianin Oghlou Kadir (Khodeanin Khadjir); Baldji (or Baldju) Oghlu Ohannès; Dimbalac Ouglou Wartavar; and Kouradji Oghlou Zirou (also spelled Tzeroum, Ziroun, Zirun).

The ordinary process for their beatification was begun in 1930–32 and initiated in Rome in 1959 by Pope John XXIII. The apostolic process in Aleppo, Syria, (1962–64) investigated the veracity of the claim of martyrdom, which was testified by an eyewitness, an eleven-year-old girl who survived. The eight martyrs were beatified at Rome by Pope John Paul II on Oct. 3, 1982.

Feast: Nov. 19.

Bibliography: L'Osservatore Romano, English edition, 42 (1982): 9–10.

[k. i. rabenstein]