Jerzy Ivanov-Szajnowicz, born on 14.11.1911 in Warsaw, stayed in Greece (where his mother lived) during World War II and was an agent of the Polish and British secret services. He participated in numerous espionage, sabotage and diversionary actions against the Germans occupying Greece. One of his tasks was to carry out a project to build a courier route. However, he was uncovered by German intelligence and arrested in Athens on 8.09.1942. A court martial sentenced him to death. The sentence was carried out on 4.01.1943. He was buried in the third cemetery in Athens, located in the Nikea district.
A slab with an inscription in Polish and a marble cross with an inscription in Greek and a photograph of the deceased were placed on his grave. The inscriptions in Polish, separated by an image of the Order of Virtuti Militari, proclaim: "Ś. Jerzy Iwanow - Szajnowicz, Knight of the Order of Virtuti Militari, died for Poland on 4 January 1943" and "To his beloved Jurek - his grieving mother". The inscription in Greek reads, "Georgios Ivanov fell for freedom age 36, 4 I 1943".
Jerzy Ivanov-Szajnowicz was posthumously awarded the Order of Virtuti Militari by the Polish authorities in exile. In Greece he is recognised as a national hero, his monument stands in Thessaloniki.

Compiled by T. Zachara / MKiDN, VIII 2025