This Sunday marks the annual commemoration of the New Martyrs of the Russian Church. It is important that we understand that this feast encompasses all those who gave up their lives for Christ during the darkest years of the Soviet period - from Russia, to Ukraine, to the Baltic States, to Central Asia and beyond. The first priestly martyr of the Revolution was... St. John Kochurov from... Chicago! He had returned to St. Petersburg to visit family and was caught up in a mob that killed him for being a priest. This day also marks the name's day of our Archbishop Peter. His Eminence is named in honor of New Hieromartyr Peter of Krutitsa, who is commemorated on this day. Let us all gather in the parish church this Sunday to mark this important feast for us all. Tertulian wrote: "The blood of the martyrs waters the seed of the Church..." and we see that seed growing today in Russia, in America, and throughout the world. It is our Christian obligation to honor the martyrs. And certainly it is our obligation to pray for Archbishop Peter especially on this day as our first leader in this his diocese. May the Lord grant His Eminence many years, and may He grant us the zeal to always honor the sacrifice of the martyrs!