Throughout 2024, Doukhobors have gathered monthly to remember Peter Vasilievich Verigin–Lordly during a highly successful speaker series featuring the life of this remarkable and charismatic leader, his teachings, business practises, and his spiritual and cultural contributions.
A highlight of the celebration was the annual 77th Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC) Festival in May, which brought together Doukhobor choirs from the West Kootenays, Grand Forks, and the Lower Mainland where Peter Lordly was remembered and honoured through song.
In October, the Doukhobor community commemorated 100 years since Peter Lordly’s tragic passing in the still unresolved train explosion on Oct. 29, 1924. The featured speaker at this event was Peter Lordly’s great-great-grandson, J.J. Verigin, the Executive Director of the USCC, the largest Doukhobor organization.
The final speaker series event will take place on Dec. 15 at the Brilliant Cultural Centre at 6:30 p.m. Ernie and Teresa Verigin will make a presentation titled “Peter V. Verigin-Lordly’s Vision for Living a Spiritual Life," on behalf of the USCC Spiritual and Cultural Development Committee with participation of the Kootenay Psalmists and the Family of Friends Choir.
The committee extends heartfelt appreciation to Wendy Voykin, Chair of the USCC Executive Committee for organizing this most impressive and ever popular speaker series, as well as Michael Cheveldave, for recording and making the individual events available on the USCC Video Channel on Vimeo.
In addition, Peter Lordly’s psalm “An Understanding of Christ” will be the topic of discussion for the 11th Annual USCC Spiritual Meeting to take place at the Brilliant Cultural Centre on Jan. 26, 2025.
