Greek Priests Arrested by Gestapo for Refusing to Conduct Anti-jewish Propaganda

Nazi occupation authorities in northern Greece have begun a campaign of Jewish persecutions, the Greek Office of Information said today.

Greek priests were urged to tell their parishioners that the Jews were an “inferior race” and to ask them not to help victims of the Germans. Most of the clergy refused, and urged all help possible. A number of priests were arrested, and their churches closed and turned over to military uses. One monk was executed for hiding Jews hunted by the Gestapo.

In Athens, a clandestine collection was taken up to aid victims of persecution. The Germans learned of it, arrested the leaders, and threatened punishment to anyone offering such help.