Saint John, whose surname was Kochurov, is remembered as the first clergy martyr of the Russian Revolution, having been put to death by revolutionary soldiers on October 31, 1917. During his missionary work in America, he was instrumental in facilitating the establishment of many Orthodox parishes across the Midwest. He also is well known for working closely with noted architect Louis H. Sullivan on the construction of Chicago’s Holy Trinity Cathedral. [Holy Trinity Cathedral is the only surviving house of worship designed by Sullivan.] The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church canonized Saint John on December 4, 1994, together with his contemporary, Priestmartyr Alexander Hotovitzky of New York, and others during services in the Moscow Kremlin’s Annunciation Cathedral, at which the late Patriarch Aleksy II of Moscow presided.
The clergy and members of Holy Trinity Cathedral invite the faithful to attend their annual “Saint John’s Dinner” in the parish hall, 1121 North Leavitt Street, Chicago, following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, October 28. The menu will include soup, roast beef with mashed potatoes and vegetables, beverage and a choice of apple or pumpkin pie. Tickets for the dinner are $20.00 for adults and $5.00 for those 7-14 years of age. There is no charge for children ages six and under. Please RSVP by contacting Nancy Yurschak at 773-282-3291 or nyurschak@gmail.com. For more information or directions to the cathedral, please visit www.holytrinitycathedral.net.
