From a young age, Maloyan possessed a deep faith. At just 14, he entered the Patriarchal Clerical Institute of Our Lady of Bzommar in Lebanon. Throughout his studies, he was inspired by Saint Ignatius of Antioch and took the name ‘Ignatius” at his ordination to the priesthood. Like this Heavenly friend, Maloyan would also be called to martyrdom.
At the start of World War I, Armenians in Turkey were the targets of harsh persecution. In April 1915, a campaign of violence began, with countless Armenians targeted, tortured, and killed in quick succession. At this time, Ignatius Maloyan was the Archbishop of Mardin. Maloyan, along with hundreds of Armenian Catholics, was dragged in chains and ordered to convert to Islam. When Maloyan refused, he was tortured.
A few days later, Ignatius Maloyan and over 400 Armenians were led in chains to the desert. Maloyan and the other priests prayed and encouraged the other prisoners along the road to certain martyrdom. Eventually, the guards turned on the prisoners and killed them all.