Silent Heroes
- ingamakarkova
- Nov 11
- 1 min read
Imagine a time when showing mercy could cost you your life.
In such a world, between 1941 and 1945, Father Mykolas Karosas and other Lithuanian citizens extended a helping hand to Jews condemned to die.
On September 16, 1941, Father Karosas baptized three Jewish families from Šeduva—11 people in total—who had survived the mass executions of Jews in Šeduva earlier that summer. It was hoped that baptism might increase their chances of survival.
Sadly, it did not help. Soon after, the Nazis, with local collaborators, executed them all.
Except for Sulamita Nolienė—she managed to escape. Left alone, without children, a husband, or her Jewish neighbors, she turned to the one person she could trust—Father Mykolas Karosas. The priest hid her in the church basement and later arranged for her long-term shelter with the Paluckas family of farmers. Thanks to them, Sulamita survived the war.
Rescuing Jews was an act fraught with immense danger and countless challenges during those difficult wartime years. Yet, some were not afraid—heroes from all walks of life, from different professions, ages, and faiths. Their actions were selfless, driven by compassion and the belief that what they were doing was right.
Jewish rescuers deserve our deepest respect. Today, we honor their day.