actively involved John J. Verigin has been ac- tively involved with the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ sinee its inception 50 years ago. Verigin, the Honorary Chair- man of the USCC, has seen it through many a turmoil, includ- In 1976 Verigin was awarded the prestigious Order of Canada. Verigin, who represents the USCC in alll official matters, says he is the “symbolic head of our organization,” pointing to the fact that the real leader is a “We state that Jesus Christ Verigin’ was born Dec. 6, 1921 im the Doukhobor village of JOHN J. VERIGIN . .. honorary chairman Orlovka in the Caucaus (“Kav- ka") region of the USSR. He was adopted into his grandfather's family after his father died, taking on the Verigin name. When his grandfather, Peter Petrovich Verigin, came to Can- ada to assume the position of Doukhobor leader, Verigin fol lowed acquiring a public-school education and attending Russian schools. Peter Petrovich died suddenly in 1989, shortly after forming the new Doukhobor organiza- tion, the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ. FULFILLING LEADERSHIP John J. Verigin, Honorary Chairman of the USCC, was born Dec. 6, 1921, in the Doukhobor village of Orlovka in the Caucaus (“Kavkaz") region of the USSR. At that time the Doukhobors of the Caucaus had been given permission by V.I. Lenin to move to more suitable agricultural lands. An area in the vicinity of the city of Rostov (along the Don River) was chosen. Verigin't father, Ivan Semeonovitch Voykin, was a member of a pioneer party of Doukhobor men who went out to prepare this area for pre-settlement. During the hardships of the first winter on these virgin lands, Ivan Semeonovitch was one of five of the men who became ill and died. He contracted pneumonia and passed away about a month prior to the birth of his son. John Verigin’s mother, Anna Petrovna, was the daughter of the late Doukhobor leader, Peter Petrovitch Verigin-Christia- kov. As a young widow, she agreed to the advice of her father that her young son should be brought up in his grandfather's house. John Verigin therefore became adopted into his grand- father’s family and was given the Verigin name. In 1927, Peter Petrovitch came to Canada at the request of the Canadian Doukhobors, to assume the-responsibility of being their leader. Ina short time, he sent for his wife, Anna Fyodorovna, and his grandson, John, who was then six years old. When Peter Petrovitch died on Feb. 11, 1939, in Saskatoon, John Verigin was 17 years old. Prior to his death Peter Petrovitch had initiated the formation of a new Doukhobor organization, the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC). At a convention held in 1940, John J. Verigin was elected to the post of secretary of the Executive Committee of the USCC. His duties were outlined as those of.a representative of the organization. He served in this capacity until 1962. Recognition of Verigin’s many years of service was shown when at the official six-week commemoration of his uncle Peter Petrovitch Verigin III, John J. Verigin was proclaimed as their leader by the people of the USCC. USCC 50th ANNIVERSARY, 1988 Remains of leaders in tomb High on a hill overlooking Brilliant sits Verigin's tomb. It commands a view of the Koot enay River where it meets the Columbia River, Highway 3A and the lands which at one time housed Doukhobor settlements. The tomb contains the re- mains of Peter Vasilevitch Ver- igin, known as “Lordly,” his wife Evdokeya Grigorevna, their son Peter Petrovitch Verigin, his wife Anna Fedorovna and Anna P. Markova, daughter of Peter P. Verigin. Peter V. Verigin was born June 29, 1858 in the village of Slavyanka in the province of Elizavetpol in the Kavkaz region of Russia. He came to Canada in the Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood, the fore- runner of the USCC, bought parcels of land in Ootischenia, nt, Pass Creek, Glade and elsewhere in the Kootenays. Peter V. Verigin was killed in a train explosion at Farron near Castlegar on Oct. 29, 1924 and buried in the tomb at Brilliant. Peter P. Verigin arrived in Canada from Russia in 1927 to lead the Doukhobors, dying on Feb. 11, 1939. He wife, Anna Fedorovna died on Nov. 22, 1940, while the wife of Peter V. Verigin, Evdokeya Grigorevana, died on Nov. 19, 1941. Anna Markova, mother of USCC honorary chairman John J. Verigin died Sept. 13, 1978. Originally made of polished black marble, the tomb has been dynamited on several occasions and is rebuilt of concrete. Jubilee concert set for Saturday The Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ will celebrate its 50th anniversary Oct. 8 with a special jubilee concert. Starting at 8 p.m. at the Brilliant Cultural the concert will feature the Heritage Choir, Soviet artists and the Kootenay Youth Choir. COMMEMORATIVE Children from Kootenay Sunday Meeting classes assembled at Verigin’s Tomb Sept. lo present a small program commemorating the 10th anniversary of the passing of Anna Markova. Mrs. Markova, mother of John J. Verigin, was months. Congratulations to the USCC on your 50th Anniversary! We applaud the contributions you have made to our We've grown with you for over 25 years in the Kootenay-Boundary. ba! ad f S FERRARO’S e revered by all the Doukhobor community and especially the children, who considered her as their honorary member. Tomb are open to visitors during the summer Photo by Wolter Kanigan communities and wish you continued success as you dedicate yourself to your motto: ‘Toil and a Peaceful Life." The grounds of the