KAMSACK — The Doukhobor Heritage Museum in Veregin celebrated Peter’s Day.
Peter’s Day, a shortened form of the Russian Den Petra i Pavla (the Day of Peter and Paul), was originally celebrated by Doukhobors in commemoration of the two apostles, who were both martyred by Rome on June 29.
The holiday also coincided with the changing of the seasons. Traditionally, the day after Peter’s Day was the commencement of haymaking for the Doukhobor community.
The current celebration of Peter’s Day by Doukhobors is closely associated with Peter Vasil’ech Verigin, from whom the Village of Veregin takes its name. He was born on June 29, 1859 and named Peter due to a tradition of naming children after the Saints on whose day they were born.
Peter Verigin, an influential leader among the Doukhobors in Russia at the time, was persecuted by Tsarist authorities and exiled to Siberia. It was from there, in 1895, that through secret messages passed onto his followers he instructed them to burn all their weapons to demonstrate their commitment to pacifism.
This ‘Burning of Arms’ was performed simultaneously by different Doukhobor communities on June 29, 1895. The Russian Tsarist authorities took this act as one of unacceptable civil disobedience, and following it increased their persecution of the Doukhobors. It was this renewed aggression that prompted many in the Doukhobor community to seek a better life in Western Canada.
Peter’s Day continues to be celebrated by the Doukhobors in diaspora. The event held on June 29 in Veregin was attended by community members who partook in the singing of hymns at the prayer house, and later a luncheon in the basement with refreshments and sweet treats.
