The following text is not a historical study. It is a retelling of the witness’s life story based on the memories recorded in the interview. The story was processed by external collaborators of the Memory of Nations. In some cases, the short biography draws on documents made available by the Security Forces Archives, State District Archives, National Archives, or other institutions. These are used merely to complement the witness’s testimony. The referenced pages of such files are saved in the Documents section.

If you have objections or additions to the text, please contact the chief editor of the Memory of Nations. (michal.smid@ustrcr.cz)

Ján Eugen Kočiš (* 1926  †︎ 2019)

• born 25th June 1926 in Pozdišovce, Slovakia

• 1946-1950 - studied theology at the Seminary of Prešov

• end of April 1950 - dissolution of the seminary and spiritual administration - operation P

• 1950-1953 - military service with the Auxiliary Engineering Corps (Pomocný technický prapor, PTP)

• 1. 1. 1951 - secretly ordained a priest

• died on December, the 4th, 2019

• 1953-1955 - various jobs, while serving as a secret priest

• 27. 7. 1955-7. 2. 1958 - in hiding

• 7. 2. 1958 - arrested

• 1958-1960 - imprisoned in camp Dark Mine (Tmavý důl) in Rtyně v Podkrkonoší (coal-mining)

• 1960-1968 - gasworks employee

• 1968 - the Greek Catholic Church returned to legality

• 1969-1991 - master of ceremonies and actuary of the Prešov bishopric, parochial service

• Chancellor of the Apostolic Exarchate in Prague

• 2002 - named a Papal Prelate

• 2004 - appointed Titular Bishop of Abritt

Jiný způsob zpracování

Tento medailon vychází z nahrávky a metodiky ÚSTR.