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{{orthodoxyinamerica}}Our righteous father '''John Kochurov''' and ''', [[hieromartyr''' ]] of the Soviet revolution , was one of a number of young educated [[priest]]s who came to the United States in the late 1890s as [[missionary|missionaries ]] among the emigrees émigrés from Carpatho-Russia and Galicia. He was active in establishing [[parish]]es and aiding communities, mainly in the Mid-westMidwest. After returning to Russia he was assigned to Estonia where he put into action the teaching skills he learned in America before he was assigned in 1916 to Tsarskoe Selo. Here he was martyred [[martyr]]ed during the early days of the Bolshevik revolution.==Early Years and America==John Kochurov was born on [[July 13]], 1871. His father was a priest. His education included attendance at the Ryazan [[Seminaryfeast day]] before continuing at the St. Petersburg Theological is celebrated on [[AcademyOctober 31]]. He excelled at his studies at both is also commemorated on the feast of the seminary and academy. After graduating in 1895, Fr. John married and then entered his life’s work when he was ordained [[deaconNew Martyrs and Confessors of Russia]]. On , celebrated on the Sunday nearest to [[August 27January 25]], 1895, he which was ordination a priest at the St. Alexander Nevsky date of the martyrdom of Metropolitan [[Lavra]] in St. Petersburg by Bishop [[Nicholas Vladimir (ZiorovBogoyavlensky)of Kiev and Gallich|Vladimir of Kiev]] of , the Diocese first of the Aleutians and Alaskanew martyrs.

Having expressed the desire to be ==Early years and America==John Kochurov was born on [[July 13]], 1871. His father was a missionary priest in the the United States, Fr. John was soon transferred and became His education included attendance at the first permanent priest Ryazan [[Seminary]] before continuing at the St. Vladimir’s Church in ChicagoPetersburg Theological Academy. This parish was later to become He excelled at his studies at both the Holy Trinity Cathedralseminary and academy. As StAfter graduating in 1895, Fr. Vladimir’s parish did not yet have their own building John married and then entered his first major project life's work when he was ordained [[deacon]]. On [[August 27]], 1895, he was construction of [[ordination|ordained]] a priest at the church buildingSt. Under the guidance of Bishop Tikhon, later Alexander Nevsky [[PatriarchLavra]] Tikhon of Moscow and saint, Frin St. John enlisted the services Petersburg by Bishop [[Nicholas (Ziorov) of the noted architect Louis Sullivan to design the church. To finance the project Fr. John sought and obtained donations from Tsar Aleutians|Nicholas II as well as from a few Americans, notably Harold McCormick and Charles R. Crane who was (Ziorov)]] of the American Ambassador to China. Construction Diocese of the church began in April 1902 Aleutians and was completed the next year for the consecration by Bishop TikhonAlaska.

Having expressed the desire to be a missionary priest in the United States, Fr. John devoted much effort in aiding establishment of other parishes in was soon transferred and became the Chicago areafirst permanent priest at St. He performed the first service for the future Archangel Michael Orthodox Vladimir's Church in southwest Chicago. In This parish was later to become the greater [[Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral (Chicago area he , Illinois)|Holy Trinity Cathedral]]. As St. Vladimir's parish did not yet have their own building, his first major project was active in construction of the church building. Under the guidance of Bishop Tikhon, later [[Patriarch]] [[Tikhon of Moscow]] and saint, Fr. John enlisted the formation services of the parishes in Madison, Streatornoted architect Louis Sullivan to design the church. To finance the project, Fr. John sought and Joliet, all in Illinois obtained donations from Tsar [[Nicholas II of Russia|Nicholas II]] as well as aiding from a few Americans, notably Harold McCormick and Charles R. Crane who was the American ambassador to China. Construction of the parishes church began in Buffalo, New York April 1902 and Hartshorn, Oklahomawas completed the next year for the [[consecration of a church|consecration]] by Bishop Tikhon.

Fr. John devoted much effort to aiding the establishment of other parishes in the Chicago area. He performed the first service for the future Archangel Michael Orthodox Church in southwest Chicago. In the greater Chicago area he was active in the formation of the parishes in Madison, Streator, and Joliet (all in Illinois), as well as aiding the parishes in Buffalo, NY, and Hartshorn, OK. In the social side of parish life , he, with Fr. Alexis Toth, future St. [[Alexis of Wilkes -Barre]], were was influential in the establishment of a major Orthodox mutual aid society that provided support for the many newly arrived emigrantsimmigrants. He also translated religious texts into English, looking to the time when church in America would consist of English -speaking members. And, before Before his return to Russia , Fr. John help organizing helped to organize the first All-American Council that was held in Mayfield, Pennsylvania , in 1907.

Fr, John returned to Russia in 1907 where he was assigned to Narva, Estonia. Here, he put to use the skills he learned in the United States teaching catechism in the schools. Then in 1916, he was transferred to St. Catherine’s Cathedral in Tsarskoe Selo, just outside St. Petersburg. At St. Catherine’s he established himself as a popular priest who was skilled in presenting moving sermons. Then in October 1917 the Bolshevik upraising in St. Petersburg spilled over quickly into Tsarskoe Selo as the town was attacked by Bolshevik elements. The people thronged to the churches where the clergy held prayer services and led processions throughout the town praying for peace.  On [[October 31]], 1917 (old style), the Bolsheviks entered Tsarskoe Selo in force and arrested Fr. John. He was taken by the Bolsheviks out of town where he was summarily shot. By this act, Fr. John became the protohieromartyr of the Bolshevik revolution and the Soviet yoke. Fr. John was buried several days later in the crypt of St. Catherine’s Catherine's Cathedral.

On December 1994, Fr. John was [[glorification|glorified ]] by the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, in session at St. Daniel’s Daniel's [[Monastery]], Moscow, Russia, as the first of the new martyrs of the 20th century. In United States he is also honored as a missionary and inspired preacher. His feast day is [[November 13]] by the new style calendar.

==Hymns==[[Troparion ]] (Tone 1):Aflame with love for God,:You gave your life as a martyr for Christ and neighbor,;:O Hieromartyr, John,:Entreat the Most Merciful God:To preserve the Holy Church in peace and save our souls.

[[Kontakion ]] (Tone 8):As you zealously fulfilled your pastoral service,:You brought your soul to God as a well-pleasing sacrifice, O Father John.:Entreat Christ God to grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.==External link==*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=103122 Priestmartyr John Kochurov] from [[OCA]] web site.*[http://www.oca.org/FS.NA-Saint.asp?SID=4&Saint=John St. John Kochurov Missionary to America and First Hieromartyr under the Bolshevik Yoke] - links to hymns, icons, and photos.

[[Category: Russian Saints]][[Category: American Saints]][[Category:Martyrs]][[Category:Modern Saints]][[Category: Missionaries]][[Category:Priests]][[Category:20th-century saints]]