The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

44 The Marian Martyrs of Rosica December, Fr. Felix Czeczott, Fr. Walter Laszewski, and Seminarian Henry Tomaszewski had also arrived. Father Leszczewicz traveled around and established new locations where he set up chapels and the Sisters taught religion. Each Sunday a priest would arrive, perform the service and adminis- ter the Sacraments. After the parish priest in Dryssa was arrest- ed, Fr. Leszczewicz went there every Sunday as well. Father Laszewski settled down in Zaszczyryn. Father Czeczott worked as the pastor in Rosica and was rebuilding the church. In June of 1942, Fr. Leszczewicz sent Seminarian Toma- szewski back to Druja and on July 22, returning from Druja after a few days stay, he brought back Fr. George Kaszyra, who had just arrived from Lithuania. He was born in that neighbor- hood and was fluent in Belarussian and Russian, so it would be easier for the two of them to do their pastoral work among the local population, most of whom used those two languages. Father Czeczott was ordered back to Druja the same day. In the summer of 1942, the activities of Soviet partisans beyond the Dvina intensified. Father Leszczewicz was dis- creetly warned before Christmas that shortly there would be punitive action against the partisans and the population who supported them, so it would be safer if the priests and Sisters left the territory. The priests went to Druja where it was decid- ed that each of them, as well as each Sister, could make their own decision whether or not to stay, although the superiors encouraged everyone to go back. However, the priests decided that they could not leave the people during such difficult times, so they went back beyond the Dvina. Likewise, all the Sisters decided to stay with the priests and with the faithful. HIS MARTYRDOM In mid-February of 1943, the German command post set up quarters in Druja and the troops participating in the punitive expedition appeared in Rosica and the surrounding neighbor- hood. Father Leszczewicz was warned again, but he firmly refused to flee; so did Fr. Kaszyra and the Sisters.