New martyr
Peter the Aleut
Holy New Martyr Peter the Aleut
New Calendar December 12 Old Calendar December 25
Why they are a saint
Peter the Aleut, born Cungagnaq, is venerated as a martyr and saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church. He was a native of Kodiak Island, and received the Christian name of Peter when he was baptized into the Orthodox faith by the monks of St Herman's missionaries operating in the north. In 1815, he was allegedly captured by Spanish soldiers near San Pedro, tortured and killed either there or at a nearby location.
Life
Saint Peter the Aleut was from Kodiak. His martyrdom is recorded in the Life of Saint Herman of Alaska, from an account by Simeon Yanovsky. Fourteen Aleuts were imprisoned by the Spanish in California, and the missionaries there tried to force them to accept the Catholic faith; they refused, saying, 'We are Christians.'
Peter was tortured before his companion: the joints of his toes and fingers, and then his feet and hands, were cut off, while he kept repeating, 'I am a Christian,' and he died from loss of blood. His sufferings recall those of Saint James the Persian.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Peter the Aleut as a patron when they bear the name Peter at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on December 12. As a martyr, he is also asked for courage and faithfulness under trial.
Prayer
O holy Peter the Aleut, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.