Vladimír Petřek

Orthodox chaplain · organizer of the refuge

19 June 1908–5 September 1942

Vladimír Petřek was an Orthodox chaplain who helped the persecuted during the occupation and received the parachutists in the Resslova Street church after the attack on Heydrich. With the domestic network, he provided food and sought another refuge. Arrested on the day of the final battle, he was executed at Kobylisy after the September court-martial.

A priest helping the persecuted

Petřek worked on relations between churches and defended a study of church–state relations in early Christianity in 1937. He helped people threatened by Nazism even before the occupation. Jindra’s study records his issuing baptismal certificates to persecuted Jews, work later also undertaken by priest Václav Čikl.

Receiving seven men

Following Jan Zelenka-Hajský’s request, Petřek first received Jaroslav Švarc on 28 May 1942. Six other parachutists arrived gradually. He took food from helpers and passed it to the hidden men, while seeking safer accommodation: the underground crypt was unsuitable as a permanent refuge.

Arrest and court-martial

The Gestapo arrested Petřek early on 18 June and brought him to the church during the assault. Following investigation, he was tried at Petschek Palace on 3 September with Čikl, Sonnevend and Bishop Gorazd. Jindra’s study records that he refused to confirm more than investigators could prove. He was executed at Kobylisy on 5 September.

Explore further

• The church in Resslova Street

  organized shelter and supplies for the parachutists

• Jan Sonnevend

  connected the resistance with the chaplain

• Václav Čikl

  priest and collaborator in helping the persecuted and parachutists

• Petschek Palace

  site of interrogation and the September trial

• Kobylisy shooting range

  execution site on 5 September 1942