November 13 marks the annual feast of St. John Kochurov, the first priestly martyr of the Bolshevik Revolution. St. John was a priest in Chicago before he returned home and suffered as a martyr. For this reason our diocese has taken St. John as a patron for the St. John Kochurov Society – the diocesan fund for those in need of assistance. This fund focuses on three main diocesan endeavors: Youth, Missions, and Monasticism. Since the founding of this society our parish has had the largest number of members of any parish in the diocese and this is something to be thankful for – and to strive to continue! According to the decision of Bishop Peter, each of the deaneries in our diocese will establish a local St. John Society in 2015. As ours is the deanery parish (by default – since our Rector is the Dean of Michigan) the deanery St. John Kochurov Society will be located here. On the feast of St. John of St. we will hold Vespers & Matins on November 12 at 6:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy on November 13 at 8:00 a.m. All members of the St. John Society are called upon to participate in the Divine Servcies this day to the greatest extent possible. At 6:00 p.m. on November 13 we will hold a reception at Fr. Gregory's home in honor of St. John and as a fundraiser for the St. John Society. ALL ST. VLADIMIR PARISH FAMILY MEMBERS ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND! This is true whether you are a member of the St. John Society or not. Of course - EVERYONE should be a member and you will be encouraged to join at the reception - but whether you join or not we welcome you to celebrate this great saint and to support the efforts of our diocese to fund our Youth activities, Mission parishes, and Monasteries! Please save the date now - more to come soon!

To learn more about the life of St. John please see the links below.

English:

http://oca.org/saints/lives/2014/10/31/ ... n-kochurov

Russian:

http://days.pravoslavie.ru/Life/life363.htm