100th Anniversary of Martyrdom of St. John of Chicago celebrated at Holy Trinity Cathedral
CHICAGO, IL [MW Diocese Communications] — The 100th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Saint John Kochurov of Chicago was celebrated at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL on Monday and Tuesday, October 30-31, 2017.
On Monday, His Grace, Bishop Paul concelebrated the festal Vigil with His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate; His Eminence, Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia; and Chicago-area clergy. Over 200 faithful were in attendance. A choir composed of Chicago Deanery faithful sang the responses, while the cathedral’s newly formed children’s choir sang the troparion to Saint John. A reception followed in the cathedral hall.
His Grace, Bishop Longin of the Serbian Orthodox Church joined Bishop Paul and Archbishop Nathaniel in celebrating the festal Divine Liturgy on Tuesday morning. The newly formed Saint Mardarije Choir, under the direction of Dr. Peter Jermihov, sang the liturgical responses. The arrangements of the hymns were thoughtfully selected to include primarily the works of North American composers, most notably Mitred Archpriest Sergei Glagolev. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Bishop Longin presented an icon of Saint Mardarije to the cathedral. A festive luncheon followed.
According to Priest Alexander Koranda, Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity Cathedral, the two-day celebration also included the visit of the Wonderworking Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. The Akathistos Hymn in honor of the Icon, which the faithful were able to venerate throughout the celebration, was served after Tuesday’s luncheon.
It was in 1899 that Father John Kochurov commissioned noted architect Louis Sullivan to construct what is today Holy Trinity Cathedral. The new church was consecrated by Saint Tikhon of Moscow in 1903 and designated a cathedral in 1922. After his return to Russia, Father John became the first clergyman to be martyred at the outset of the Bolshevik Revolution. He was glorified as Saint John of Chicago and Tsarskoye Tselo in December 1994.
