Peter Vasilevich Verigin, also known as Peter "the Lordly" Verigin, was a Russian philosopher, activist, and leader of the Doukhobor community in Canada. Born in 1859 in Slavyanka, part of the Russian Empire (now Azerbaijan), he became the leader of the Doukhobors after a leadership crisis following the death of Lukerya Gubanova, the previous leader. Verigin was exiled by the Russian government for 16 years due to his leadership of the Doukhobors, who were pacifists and conscientious objectors. During his exile, Verigin sent messages encouraging the Doukhobors to refuse military service, which led to a significant conflict with the Russian authorities. In 1898, an agreement was reached that allowed the Doukhobors to emigrate to Canada, where Verigin joined them in 1902. He established his headquarters in the village of Veregin, Saskatchewan, and later moved some of his followers to British Columbia. Verigin continued to lead the Doukhobors until his assassination in a train explosion in 1924, a crime that remains unsolved. After his death, his son, Peter P. Verigin, eventually took over the leadership of the Doukhobors. Verigin's legacy includes his efforts to maintain the communal and pacifist traditions of the Doukhobors in Canada.

Peter Verigin - Wikipedia