John Kochurov

Ivan Alexandrovich Kochurov (; ) (13 July 1871 (Ryazan, Russia) – 31 October 1917 (Tsarskoye Selo, Russia)), better known as John Kochurov, was a Russian priest of the Russian Orthodox Church who was martyred during the October Revolution.

He was one of a number of young, educated Russian priests who came to the United States in the late 1890s as missionaries among the émigrés from Carpathian Ruthenia and Galicia. Kochurov was active in establishing parishes and aiding communities, mainly in the Midwest. After returning to Russia he was assigned to Estonia, where he put into action the teaching skills he learned in America before he was assigned in 1916 to Tsarskoye Selo. There, Kochurov was killed during the early days of the October Revolution, becoming its first hieromartyr.

Kochurov's feast day is celebrated on October 31, the day of his execution by the Communists. He continued his education at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. He excelled at his studies at both the seminary and academy.

After graduating in 1895, Kochurov married and then entered his life's work when he was ordained deacon. On August 27, 1895, he was ordained a priest at the St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg. The ceremony was carried out by Bishop Nicholas (Ziorov) of the Diocese of the Aleutians and Alaska.

America The consecration of Reginald Heber Weller as an Anglican bishop at the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle in the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac, with the Anthony Kozlowski of the Polish National Catholic Church and Tikhon of Moscow (along with his chaplains John Kochurov and Sebastian Dabovich) of the Russian Orthodox Church present Having expressed the desire to be a missionary priest in the United States, Kochurov was soon transferred and became the first permanent priest at St. Vladimir's Church in Chicago. This parish was later to become the Holy Trinity Cathedral. He took on this post in 1895.

Aflame with love for God, You gave your life as a martyr for Christ and neighbor; O Hieromartyr, John, Entreat the Most Merciful God To preserve the Holy Church in peace and save our souls.

Kontakion (Tone 8) As you zealously fulfilled your pastoral service, You brought your soul to God as a well-pleasing sacrifice, O Father John. Entreat Christ God to grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.