Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Bonhoeffer)

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich (Bonhoeffer), (1906-1945), German theologian who was executed by the Nazis in a concentration camp Flossenbц?rg. Born Feb. 4, 1906 in Breslau, the son of renowned physician and university professor Karl Bonhoeffer. He studied at the theological faculty of Tц?bingen (1923) and Berlin (1924), graduated in 1927, theologian. In 1930 went to the United States, where he studied at United Theological Seminary. Returning home, he began teaching at the theological faculty of the University of Berlin. In October 1933, when it became clear that Hitler intended to use Germany's church for their own purposes, Bonhoeffer went to London, becoming a member of the English pastorate. Refusing to recognize the public church, . became the instrument of Hitler's policies, . Bonhoeffer supported the establishment of the Church and Congregation, . enlisted the support of many Anglican communities, . returned to Germany, . to take part in the activities of Congregation Church,
. He wrote a book in which he justified moral struggle with the Nazi regime and participated in a conspiracy to overthrow Hitler

. In 1938, Bonhoeffer came in contact with Major General Hans Oster, Chief of Staff of the Abwehr, Colonel-General Ludwig Beck, who had just retired from the post of Chief of General Staff of the Army, and the head of the Abwehr, Admiral Wilhelm Canaris
. Bonhoeffer became a double agent counterintelligence Canaris and courier services to communicate with foreign organizations in Sweden and Switzerland. March 19, 1939, he went to London to meet with Bishop George Bell, Reinhold Niebuhr and Gerhard Leybholtsem, and the next month to the U.S.. Visited Sweden in 1942, he brought a proposal from the conspirators in the peace talks with allies. He helped seven Jews to flee to Switzerland, which almost cost him his life. January 17, 1943 was declared his engagement to Maria von Vedemayer, but on 5 April he was arrested, sent to prison Tegel and charged with "undermining the armed forces".

After the failed plot of the July 1944, Bonhoeffer was in the cellars of the Gestapo at Prinz-Albrecht -. February 7, 1945 he was sent to Buchenwald, and then transferred to Camp Flossenbц?rg. All those who dealt with him in those days, were delighted with his noble conduct and good spirits in inhumane conditions, in which he even managed to write poetry. The verdict of the military tribunal Bonhoeffer was executed on April 9, 1945 in Flossenbц?rg, not having lived a few days before the end of hostilities in Europe. In church circles, the name has become synonymous with Bonhoeffer's martyrdom.