Dlozhevskyi Volodymyr ta Mariia

Orthodox priest Volodymyr Dlozhevsky lived in Hnivan in Vinnytsia region with his wife Mariia and daughter Olena.

Since July 17, 1941, for over two and a half years, the town of Hnivan was under German occupation. The Dlozhevskyi family actively assisted the local Jewish population. For several months, the priest's home served as a hiding place for the Panskyi family, consisting of five individuals, and Sonia Raikis with her children: Betia, Liza, Mania, Misha and Filia. Sonia's husband, Abram Raikis, was shot with a group of other Jews at the beginning of the occupation. Father Volodymyr also provided refuge to the families of Matvii Vainberh and Shmuel Elis. When the situation in the town became too dangerous for the Jews, the Dlozhevskyi family helped their wards – the Panskyi and Vainberh families to find a guide who led them across the Southern Bug River to Transnistria. The priest personally transported Shmuel Elis, his wife Molka, and their daughter Ania – one by one, hiding them in the wagon, to the Romanian-controlled village of Voroshylivka.

Unfortunately, Sonia Raikis and her children were unable to evacuate in time, and they were shot on June 20, 1942. Only 12-year-old Mykhailo Raikis survived. He managed to escape from under the pile of corpses at night and reach the priest's house. The Dlozhevskyi family helped Mykhailo to cross over to Transnistria.

After the war, Father Volodymyr and Mother Mariia continued to maintain contact with many of the people they had saved. Dozens of Jewish individuals came to bid farewell at the priest's funeral in 1956.

In 2003, Yad Vashem recognized Volodymyr and Mariia Dlozhevskyi as Righteous Among the Nations.

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