St. Peter the Aleut Youth Ministry

St. Peter the Aleut

Peter the Aleut was a native of Kodiak Island, who became the third martyr for the Orthodox Faith in America. He was a fur-hunter, baptized into the Faith by Russian missionaries.

Spain was in possession of California in those days, and was deeply suspicious of Russian encroachment from the North. In 1815, the Spanish governor ordered an immediate halt to Russian trading and trapping in the region, and the arrest of nearly one hundred Russians and Aleuts who had not yet left the area.

The prisoners were treated as slaves, and some, notably Peter, were tortured in order to try to force them to accept the Roman Catholic faith, even though he confessed the Holy Orthodox Christian Faith. An eyewitness account stated that a Spanish priest ordered that Peter’s fingers be cut off, one joint at a time, eventually cutting his hands completely off, and then that he be disemboweled. Peter died of his torture, without ever renouncing the Orthodox Faith.

Holy St. Peter the Aleut, pray to God for us.

Peter the Aleut was a native of Kodiak Island, who became the third martyr for the Orthodox Faith in America. He was a fur-hunter, baptized into the Faith by Russian missionaries.
Spain was in possession of California in those days, and was deeply suspicious of Russian encroachment from the North. In 1815, the Spanish governor ordered an immediate halt to Russian trading and trapping in the region, and the arrest of nearly one hundred Russians and Aleuts who had not yet left the area.
The prisoners were treated as slaves, and some, notably Peter, were tortured in order to try to force them to accept the Roman Catholic faith, even though he confessed the Holy Orthodox Christian Faith. An eyewitness account stated that a Spanish priest ordered that Peter’s fingers be cut off, one joint at a time, eventually cutting his hands completely off, and then that he be disemboweled. Peter died of his torture, without ever renouncing the Orthodox Faith.
Holy St. Peter the Aleut, pray to God for us.

Links of Interest -