Food for the Soul: St John Kochurov of
Chicago (October 31)
The Life of St John Kochurov
Missionary to America and First Hieromartyr under the Bolshevik
Yoke
St. John was born on July 13, 1871 in the village of Bigildino-Surka
in the Ryazan region of Russia in the family of a priest. He
was an exemplary student at the Ryazan Seminary, and therefore
pursued advanced studies at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy
from which he graduated in 1895.
Within a few months after graduation, he arrived in America
as a missionary priest. Prior to departure from Russia, he was
married and ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Nicholas (Ziorov)
of the Aleutians and Alaska on August 27, 1895 at the St. Alexander
Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg. Upon arrival in America, he
was assigned to a parish in Chicago but also traveled extensively
and was instrumental in the establishment of other parish communities.
He was a gifted preacher and writer. He tirelessly supervised
the construction of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago. In 1903,
the Chicago cathedral, built largely through the labors of St.
John, was consecrated by St. Tikhon, Enlightener of North America.
In 1907, he returned to Russia and due to his skills in education
he was assigned to teach catechism in the schools of Narva,
Estonia, where, as in America, the Orthodox were a minority.
In 1916, he was assigned to St. Catherine's Cathedral in Tsarskoe
Selo (near Petrograd), where his skillful and moving sermons
attracted many people. On October 30, 1917 as the town was under
attack by Bolshevik forces during the turmoil of the Russian
Revolution, people thronged to the churches seeking consolation
and the clergy decided to conduct a prayer service and procession
throughout the town to pray for peace.
The following day, the town was seized by the Bolsheviks and
St. John at the age of 46 was arrested, taken to the outskirts
of town, shot and dragged over a railroad track by a soldiers/sailors'
mob until he was dead. He thus became the first clergy martyr
of the Russian Revolution in 1917.
Several days following his death, St. John was buried in the
crypt of St. Catherine's Cathedral, which was demolished some
years later. On December 4, 1994, St. John was canonized by
the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church. In Russia,
he is venerated as the first of the new martyrs of the 20th
century, while in America, he is additionally remembered as
a missionary and inspired preacher.
Witnesses describe his death
- "He met a martyr's death at the hands of Bolshevik
sailors.... These revolutionaries objected to Fr John's serving
a prayer service for the salvation of Russia. When he refused
to stop, they killed him."
- "Archpriest John Kochurov was shot to death while in
his vestments. Wounded, he falls to the ground and sighs heavily,
he is in convulsions before death. A voice in the crowd says,
"Let's finish him off like a dog." (Taken from Portraits
of American Saints, Compiled and edited by George A.
Gray.)
From the very early days of the Church to the present day people
such as Fr John have been killed because of their faith in Christ.
The faith they have in Jesus is so evident in their life that
people react to it: some are inspired and seek to have the same
faith; others become angry and threatened by it and seek to
destroy them.
St John and all the martyrs remind us about how important and
powerful it is to believe in Christ. They are Christ's ultimate
champions who witness to the utlimate realities of life and
the world: that because of Jesus Christ our life has real meaning;
that because of Jesus Christ we act and live in ways that often
differ from what is currently popular; and that because of Jesus
Christ our life does not end with our death.
People killed St John because they did not like the fact that
he believed in God, that he believed all people are dependant
on Him, and that his belief led him to call other people to
have faith in and pray to Him. He could have easily stopped
the service when the mob approached him and had the service
later; but he didn't even though it led to the mob attacking
and killing him.
(Soul) Food for Thought:
- In what ways does my faith cause me to live differently
from what other people and/or society consider "normal"
or acceptable?
- In what ways might people react negatively if I lived my
faith more fully?
- Do I believe in Jesus Christ enough to be willing to 1)
be made fun of because of it; 2) live my life differently
than my friends and/or society live; 3) encourage and challenge
other people to believe in Him; and/or 4) face real persecution
because of it?
For an interactive icon of the Life of St John go to
http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/Feasts-and-Saints/OCA/lifeicons/john/lifeicon.html
An Orthodox Look
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is yet another vehicle
for Will Ferrell's comedic talent. He plays Ron Burgundy, the
top-rated TV anchorman at KVWN in San Diego. Pompous and chauvinistic,
Burgundy reigns supreme over a posse of men who comprise his
news team: raucous sportscaster Champ Kind; smooth field reporter
Brian Fantana; and the oblivious weatherman, Brick Tamland.
The team works, plays and debauches together, with Burgundy
leading the way. Then Veronica Corningstone, a talented, feisty
female, and determined to succeed in the male-dominated TV business,
arrives. Of course Burgundy and his team greet Veronica's intrusion
onto their turf the only way they know how, by asserting their
perceived dominance. "It's anchorman," Champ opines,
"not anchorlady." Veronica easily rebuffs the crude
passes of Burgundy's team, but, sadly, falls for him. She hopes
to keep their love a secret but Burgundy does not. The resulting
interplay between their love and rivalry drives the story to
an unlikely showdown between Burgundy, Veronica and the news
team.
On the upside:
- Burgandy's affection and loyalty to his dog reveals a kind
spot in his heart.
- By the film's end, Burgandy accepts Veronica as an equal
and begins to acknowledge her skill as an anchorwoman.
On the downside:
- Crude conversations, joking, over-the-top visual gags and
sexual innuendoes go on and on.
Each of the four news-team members makes a pass (or worse)
at Veronica.
Veronica briefly resists Burgundy's passionate advances, then
caves in and has sex with him.
On the Calendar:
December 27-31, 2004
OCF College Conference (East Coast and West Coast) - Theme:
The Faith to Move Mountains
OCF is announcing its annual College Conference held on December
27th-31st at Antiochian Village in Bolivar, PA and St Nicholas
Ranch in Dunlap, CA. Over the past ten years thousands of college
students, high school graduates, and young adults have gathered
for the 5-day events sponsored by Orthodox Christian Fellowship
(OCF), the official campus ministry effort of the Standing Conference
of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). This
year’s chosen theme is “The Faith to Move Mountains.” Registration
has begun!
The cost of attending is $200, which includes registration,
room, and board. A $75 deposit is required to register. Scholarships
are available.** Apply directly online or download and mail
your registration. http://www.ocf.net/collegeconf/
Check out the details for each coast, You will not want to miss
it!
West Coast
St. Nicholas Ranch - Dunlap, CA
Keynote: Fr. Thomas Hopko
Dean Emeritus, St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
Workshop Speakers will include: Fr. Michael Nasser, Fr. Christopher
Salamy, Fr. Michael Courey & more
Events will include: Sledding and snow games in the Sequoia
National Forest, Bon Fire, Dancing, Monastery Visit, Hiking,
and much more
East Coast
Antiochian Village - Bolivar, PA
Keynote: Fr. John Chryssavgis,
Theological Advisor to the Ecumenical Patriarch on Environmental
Issues
Workshop Speakers will include: Fr. Moses Berry, Dn. Paul Zaharas,
Fr. John Reeves, Fr. John Manuel & more
Events will include: Snow tubing, camp fire, Pre-Year Eve Dance,
Night at the Museum & more.
Posters/Bulletin Inserts: Download at http://www.ocf.net/resources/print.asp
Questions:
East Coast: Helene Krentisky, east_cc@ocf.net
West Coast: Lydia Najim, west_cc@ocf.net
Or OCF Office at 800-919-1OCF
We hope to see you there!!
**Scholarships are given on a first come first serve basis from
participating jurisdictions. Maximum scholarship is $125. Must
complete registration first, accompanied with a deposit even
if you are applying for scholarship. Higher priority will be
given to those who attend the conference closest to them.
In the News: Politics and the Orthodox
Church and Viktoria's Story: the Power of the Cross
Politics and the Orthodox Church
Questions frequently arise about living the Orthodox Christian
faith and politics such as, which political party does the Orthodox
Church align itself with? These questions take on an even greater
significance now, in an election year. When we go to the polls
on November 2, how do we know we are voting with the Church?
Dr. Peter C. Bouteneff from St Vladimir's Seminary, in his recent
article, "Reflections on how to Vote: Orthodox Christians
and the Presidential Election", focuses on the Church's
stance on a few points of interest.
The relationship of church and state, Bouteneff states, has
always been a delicate matter. There is no established Christian
way of governing, be it monocracy, democracy, plutocracy, or
theocracy. While the Church does take a stand against certain
types of governments - anarchy and totalitarianism, as examples
- it does not stipulate one acceptable way of governance.
Should we or should we not vote? There is a canon that prohibits
an ordained clergyman from holding public office. This canon
indicates the "Church's ambivalent relationship to government."
While certain monastics may not find themselves going to their
recent polling place on November 2nd, we as Orthodox Christians
may feel we have an obligation to do so. As Bouteneff states,
"Whether we vote or not, our decision must be conscious
and deliberate, and the result of prayerful consideration. Orthodox
Christians are called to take a stand on matters that affect
how people live and how they are treated, and on how the natural
world is treated. We are called to care about, to arrive at,
and defend principles in terms of our fundamental beliefs."
What is the difference between being liberal or conservative?
The Orthodox Church as a whole is regarded as a rather conservative
church in terms of theology and ethical practices. However,
to classify the Church as "conservative" in political
terms may be a use of the term that is, in fact, too liberal.
When considering issues, it is not as important to consider
where they fall in a spectrum of leftist or right-winged political
jargon, as it is essential to look for the truth inherent in
the issue and to regard it from a Christian viewpoint.
Should we be Republicans or Democrats? "Neither party
has a monopoly on life and family values: both parties are inconsistent
in both areas, "says Bouteneff. The platforms of each party
must be carefully considered, as neither exemplifies a model
Christian example. Is this a clear answer? No, because there
is no clear answer. Both parties take some positive stances
on certain issues, and both parties are flawed in others. Neither
is THE perfect Christian party. We must choose wisely, and we
must do so after prayer and careful consideration.
We are, however, not left in a state of desperation or bewilderment.
"We have a compass to guide us in our choice," said
Bouteneff, "and that compass is our understanding of Christ's
Gospel and how it is lived in the world."
Viktoria's Story: The Power of the Cross
The three day September school siege in Moscow shocked the
world with its unrelenting tail of terror and cruelty, ending
in death and sadness for the friends and families of those most
involved - innocent school children. Viktoria Ktsoyeva, a fourteen
year old girl, was among the hostages. The image or her bloodied
hand clutching a cross was seen throughout the world.
Viktoria, in an interview given while in a Moscow hospital,
said she was not a religious person. Still, the cross was a
gift from her parents, a replacement of the cross given to her
at her baptism, and she wore it every day. Though she did not
consider herself very religious, during this time of strife,
she found the cross comforting to her. She held it while she
prayed to be freed from the terrorism she and her classmates
were forced to endure. She took it off and held it, fearing
that she would someone lose it if she did not.
At the climax of the standoff, with gunfire all around her,
Viktoria ran for her life in the truest sense of the word. She
did not escape unharmed however, and was hit with a piece of
shrapnel about the size of a centimeter. It went into her skull
and lodged itself approximately halfway through her brain. Her
neurosurgeon stated that she is incredibly lucky, as the shrapnel
had not hit any major arteries. Also, had the piece gone in
one millimeter in any direction, Viktoria would have lost the
ability to control her movement. Doctors have decided to leave
the shrapnel in her brain unless future complications arise.
In times like Viktoria faced, faith is often one of the most
powerful pieces of armor we can surround ourselves with. It
is sometimes only when we are faced with a great adversarial
challenge that we begin to realize the true power of the cross,
and of our Lord. It is not merely strength that we get from
the cross, but the knowledge that God will protect us as always.
It is that knowledge that gives us the strength to persevere
in the darkest of times.
The experience Viktoria faced last month is one she will carry
with her for the rest of her life. Yet, out of the tragedy she
obtained a new resolve. She now wishes to study to become a
pediatrician. And she says she plans to be in church every Sunday,
with her cross next to her heart.
Real Questions/Real Answers: Play or
Pray?
Question:
I play on a sports team that has scheduled most of its
games on Sunday mornings. The games are scheduled at the same
time as Divine Liturgy is. My dilemma is that I don't want to
miss church for all those weeks. What should I do?
Answer:
Good question! This problem is becoming all too familiar. Throughout
the country, more and more youth leagues are scheduling games
on Sunday mornings and, for Christian athletes, this can create
a dilemma just like yours.
Rick Reilly recently wrote about this very issue in his Sports
Illustrated column, saying, "Priests and pastors across
the country have noticed something lately: God is competing
more and more with Sunday sports - and losing. Especially with
youth sports." (The Life of Reilly, April 26, 2004, Vol.
100, No. 17)
I don't know your specific situation, but very often parents
are the ones pressuring their children to play on these teams
for competitive purposes, instead of playing for your own recreation.
The decision may not be in your hands. If this is the case,
things can get complicated. Consider these thoughts that may
help you or your parents make a decision:
We are all creatures of habit. Our daily lives are filled with
repetition and routine, sometimes bringing comfort and other
times boredom. Yet, we cannot escape habit, especially in our
spiritual lives. If we desire a relationship with Christ in
our hearts, we must invite Him to become a part of our everyday
lives. (Did you notice the key word in that sentence? No, it's
not invite, but everyday.) Every day we must enter into fellowship
with Christ, spend time with Him in prayer, rejoice in His Word
and obey His commands. This is a condition of the heart, not
a decision we make when we walk out the door on Sunday morning.
In a very real sense, we are the Church, whether or not we are
standing inside a church building. Nevertheless, our worship
is still a crucial part of our spiritual well-being that cannot
be marginalized. When we join together on Sunday mornings, we
are not just attendees who compete for "Most Consecutive
Church Appearances" but active participants who have the
opportunity to commune with Our Lord Jesus Christ and nourish
our spiritual lives.
So I caution you: Be careful of the habits you make. If this
team is just for voluntary recreation, you should do your best
to join another team or play only in the games not scheduled
on Sunday mornings. If this is up to your parents, ask them
to consider these thoughts. If it is a competitive team, and
coaches are involved in picking players prior to the season
for their team, make it clear that your committment is to be
in church Sunday morning. If you are picked for their team,
you will not be available for Sunday moring practices and games.
If the games are scheduled on Sunday afternoon, you will be
there.
Missing a Sunday Divine Liturgy for something that is very
important to you (be it vacation or a soccer game) is not the
end of the world, but abandoning your priority to God altogether
has a very real, and serious, consequence. Remember that a good
relationship with the Church is the result of a deeply personal
and continual relationship with Christ.
Readers Write:
Here is your chance! We know you have great stories
to tell, and honest opinions to share. We know amazing things
have happened to you and you were just wondering, "Now, HOW
can I share this with others?" Well, the section IS entitled
"Readers Write," so what better venue than right here?
You're a reader, so…. You know
the next step. Send us something you've written and would like
to see in a future issue of YO-Mail. Commentary on YO-Mail is
welcome, as is anything that is pertinent to our lives as Christians.
Send it in to yomail@oca.org
and we will put it here.
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