11 Facts About Peter Verigin

Peter Verigin's father, Vasily Verigin, was an illiterate, but reportedly rich peasant, who, once elected a village headman, "showed himself a real despot".

Peter Verigin became acquainted with the Doukhobor ideas of administration which rejects secular government.

Peter Verigin was to spend the next 16 years in government custody.

Peter Verigin was first sent to Shenkursk, in Arkhangelsk Governorate, in the Russia's north, arriving in October 1887.

In November 1894, as he was being transferred from Kola to Obdorsk, Peter Verigin wrote a message to the Doukhobors, asking them to obey God's commandment, "Thou shalt not kill", to destroy their weapons, and refuse military service.

Peter Verigin's message was taken to the Caucasus by his brothers Grigory and Vasily, who spread it throughout the Doukhobor communities.

Peter Verigin visited Leo Tolstoy in October, and joined his people in Yorkton in December 1902.

Peter Verigin came in 1906, leading a delegation of six Doukhobors, to investigate a possibility of the return of the Doukhobors to Russia, now that, as a result of Russian Revolution, religious tolerance has been legislated.

Peter Verigin's delegation met with Stolypin and other ministers, who made an offer of land in the Altai and an exemption from the conscription.

Peter Verigin had another residence built for himself near Grand Forks, British Columbia, spending the rest of his life sharing his time between the two provinces.

Peter Verigin's grave is located near Brilliant, a historically Doukhobor village outside Castlegar, British Columbia.