DOUKHOBOR SPEAKER SERIES

Peter V. Verigin is seen in a postcard by Campbell Studio of Nelson, probably only a few years before his death in 1924. Greg Nesteroff collection

by Greg Nesteroff

This year marks the centennial of one of the deadliest yet most mysterious disasters in local history.

On October 29, 1924, an explosion tore through a passenger rail car between Castlegar and Grand Forks, killing nine people, including Doukhobor leader Peter Vasilevich (Lordly) Verigin. Was it accidental or deliberate? There has never been a satisfactory answer, but theories abound.

By any measure, Verigin was an extraordinary figure, recognized in 2012 as a person of national historic significance. Despite being in Siberian exile, he helped organize the mass migration of Doukhobors to Canada from Russia at the end of the 19th century to escape persecution for their pacifist beliefs. Under his leadership, Doukhobors burned their arms and later flourished in communal life on the Prairies and in B.C.

To commemorate the anniversary of Verigin’s death, the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC) is hosting a monthly speaker series on topics ranging from his business acumen to his spiritual teachings.

Organizer Wendy Voykin says they initially discussed a weekend conference before deciding to stretch it out over the year, feeling it would be less daunting logistically and give more people the chance to take part.

“People can catch what they catch, and if you don’t catch every single piece, you’ve still benefited,” she says.

The free sessions are being held on the third Sunday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Brilliant Cultural Centre and broadcast live via Zoom. The lectures are also being recorded and will ultimately be made available online.

The first session in January drew about 75 people in person and another 100 online. In fact, Voykin said it was so popular that they ran out of online space, so not everyone was able to view it. That’s been remedied for the remaining sessions.

The session in October, closest to the actual anniversary of Verigin’s death, will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a memorial service, potluck luncheon and choral presentations by the Kootenay Psalmists and Family of Friends Grand Forks community choir. Verigin’s great-great grandson J.J. Verigin, now executive director of the USCC, will speak on his ancestor’s legacy.

Voykin says the schedule may be amended as the year progresses and she expects each session “will have its own energy, so this is definitely intended to appeal to as many different interests as possible.”

If you have something to share as part of the series, you can contact her at wvoykin@icloud.com.