Juozapas Marčiukonis – kunigas, poetas, kankinys.

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Atsiminimai; Biografija; Eilėraščiai; Gyvenimas nelegaliai; Kunigas Juozapas Marčiukonis; Kunigas Juozapas Marčiukonis (1914–1951); Monika ir Onutė Knyzaitės; Sovietinė Lietuva; Biograpny, Memoir; Living underground; Monika ir Onutė Knyzaitės; Priest Juozapas Marčiukonis; Priest Juozapas Marčiukonis (1914–1951); Soviet Lithuania.

ENRoman Catholic priest Juozapas Marčiukonis was born on October 11, 1914 in a peasant family in Roliai village (Lazdijai district). He went to primary school in Gudeliškė, and then he continued his education in secondary school in Lazdijai and in the Seminary of Vilkaviškis. On June 13, 1937 he was ordained a priest and appointed a vicar of Seirijai Parish in Alytus district. While learning at school and later in seminary he wrote poems and short stories. In 1939 he prepared for printing the first collection of his poems under the title "Su širdim" (From the Heart) and sent it to the publishing house of the Marian Fathers in Marijampolė. There were 46 poems in the book about the freedom of the homeland, the respect of a man, the love for God and nature. In the years 1939-1947 he worked as a vicar in the parishes of Seirijai, Višakio Rūda and Rudamina. In October, 1947 he became a parish priest in Būdvietis. When Lithuania was occupied by the Soviets in 1944, his younger brothers Bronius and Vincas joined the partisans.In 1945 Marčiukonis' parents were exiled to Siberia. Soviet security officers - the NKVD, in order to extract information about the relationship with his brothers, began the questioning of the priest. They tried to recruit him, however the priest did not betray his brothers partisans. After an extremely brutal interrogation and beating, the priest decided to move to underground. The Knyza family from Berezninkai (Būdvietis Parish) gave him shelter and help. The priest regained strength, health and returned to writing poetry and short stories. Unfortunately, 15 month later he became ill again. It was impossible to call a doctor for the hiding patient. He died on December 2, 1950. He was secretly buried in the yard. Only after the restoration of the independence of Lithuania, the priest was buried in the churchyard in Būdvietis on April 29, 1989. [From the publication]