1932 23 Nov 193- |
The passing of George Adam Benke (b. Fredericksfelt, south Russia in 1878) in Sofia, Bulgaria. Shoghi Effendi declared him to be "the first European martyr. [BW5:416–418, LDG1p263]
He had become a Bahá'í as a result of the visit of Harlan and Grace Ober to Leipzig in 1920 and the further efforts of Miss Alma Knoblock. [BW5p416]
He translated the works of Bahálláh that had been translated into Russian by Thomansky and Rosenberg.
In June of 1931 he was called upon to help Marion Jack in Sofia where is knowledge of Russian facilitated his efforts. He stayed for three months.
Again in 1932 he was asked to go to Sofia where he passed away after a very short period of discomfort.
Shoghi Effendi called him the first European martyr. [LDG1:263; MC359]
Photo 1 of his gravesite in Sofia.
Photo 2 of his headstone. |
George Benke; In Memoriam; George Adam Benke; Names and titles; Martyrs; Firsts, other; Fredericksfelt, Russia; Russia; Sofia, Bulgaria; Bulgaria |
first European martyr |