St John Kochorov

October 31, 1917, was a day of sadness in the Orthodox Christian faith.  Father John Kochurov, a priest in Tsarskoe Selo, Russia, was murdered by the Bolsheviks for refusing to stop a prayer service dedicated to the end of the Russian Civil War that brought the Communists to power.  He became the first martyr, or Heiromartyr, of the Bolshevik yoke, the first of many priests, monks, bishops, and other clergy murdered in the Soviet Union in the name of Communism.
When I became a member of the Orthodox Church, I took him as my Orthodox Patron of North America.  Last year, I wrote a song about him and his martyrdom.
With the anniversary of his martyrdom being on Monday of this week, I have decided to post the lyrics here.  I have also posted a YouTube video of the song "Ode to St John Kochurov" that you can view if you wish, but I warn you, it is FAR from my best performance of the song.
To St John Kochurov; I find your courage inspiring.  Memory Eternal.



How can we help you, Father John, Father John?
Praying for us as you bleed
Shielding God’s people, Father John, Father John
As evil sweeps Russia in word and in deed

They’ve captured the royals, Father John, Father John

Stolen their riches and homes
They claim them for the people, Father John, Father John
And then keep those riches all for their own.

The show you no mercy, Father John, Father John

They say what you teach is absurd.
And they mean to tame us, Father John, Father John
By using their bullets to silence God’s word

They mourn in Chicago, Father John, Father John

In a church that you labored to build
They mourn out in Brooklyn Father John, Father John
Upon hearing how and why you were killed

We ask not for vengeance, Father John, Father John

We ask that we only be saved
From Godless oppression, Father John, Father John
A power that’s only described as depraved

In seventy years, Father John, Father John
A people enslaved now are free
The yoke of their burden, Father John, Father John
Are thought to be written as old history

Still we are praying, Father John, Father John
That you died for us not in vain

In you we find courage, Father John, Father John
As evil sweeps over this land once again

How can we help you, Father John, Father John?
Praying for us as you bleed
Shielding God’s people, Father John, Father John
As evil rains on us in word and in deed