Jeoldusan Martyrs Shrine
In the small town of Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan, St. Andrew Kim Tae Gon stayed for almost 4 years. He is very good in English, French, Spanish and Mandarin which made him an interpreter for the Dominican priests.
In one of his letters to his brethren in Korea, he said that “Lolomboy was a peaceful place where you can feel the serenity and joy of living…a place where you can freely practice your faith.”
In 1845 he was ordained and became the first Korean priest yet due to the religious persecution during the Joseon Dynasty he was sentenced to death by cutting his head at a cliff near the Han River. He was martyred on September 16, 1846.
During Pope John Paull II visit to Seoul in 1984, Kim Dae Gon was canonized and became the first Korean saint along with other 103 martyrs. A shrine was dedicated to him here in the province. Upon knowing that a shrine was also erected here in Seoul to commemorate the 103 martyrs I decided to go there and be a pilgrim. The place unlike other typical attractions in Seoul is not frequented by tourists preserving its holy atmosphere.
The said cliff where the martyrs were beheaded.
The name Jeoldusan hides a horrifying moment in Korean history. Jeoldu literally means “chopping heads.” There was a rumor that the heads chopped off at Jeoldusan were rolled down into the Hangang (River). Jeoldusan is a sacred place where thousands of Catholics were martyred bearing witness to their faith during the Byeong-in persecution of 1866 (1866 is the ‘Byeong-in’ year in the Oriental calendar) Before the Byeong-in persecution, the ‘Byeong-in Yangyo (French Invasion) occurred in 1866. The French invaded Yanghwajin and Seogang in Joseon territory in response to the Catholics and French missionaries that had been executed at Saenamteo. Against the French invasion, the Joseon Dynasty executed more Catholics in Jeoldusan. In 1962, the Catholic Church constructed a memorial tower to pay tribute to the sacrifice of these Catholics, and in 1966, the 100th anniversary of the Byeong-in persecution, the construction of Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Museum began.
The museum contains a collection of the possessions and relics of the martyrs, various ancient manuscripts of the Catholics, such as Korean patriot Ahn Juang-geun, related to the history of the Korean Catholic church, and even evidence that points to a visit by Pope John Paul II. Especially, the history of the Catholicism in Korea is presented in 12 scenes using some 80 figures, such as the ordaining of Kim Dae-geon as a priest and the baptism of Lee Byeok.
Hapjeong Station, lines 2 or 6, exit 7, walk about 10 minutes toward the Hangang (River)
02-3142-4434
09:30 ∼ 17:00
Every Monday
No fixed admission, but offerings by visitors are accepted
more photos at these site: http://mjse.multiply.com/photos/album/229/Jeoldusan_Martyrs_Place
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