John Yi Yun-il
Encyclopedia
St. John Yi Yun-il was a Korea
n Catholic who was killed during the 19th–century Korean persecution of Christians
. He was a family man who made his living as a farmer and who also served as a catechist, i.e. a teacher of Christian religion.
in modern-day South Korea
, in the course of the Joseon Dynasty
's persecution of Catholics that began in 1866. Though flogged until the flesh of his limbs was torn, he remained strong in the Christian faith, and he was finally decapitated
.
and was canonized
as one of 103 Korean martyr saint
s by Blessed John Paul II on May 6, 1984.
He is one of two patron saints of the Archdiocese of Daegu, along with Our Lady of Lourdes
. His body is preserved in a chapel in the Archdiocese of Daegu. At the time of St. John's death, the site of his execution, Gwandeokjeong was used for the execution of criminals. Due to the number of Christian martyrs who were executed there, the site is now treated by the Archdiocese as a sacred place.
St. John Yi Yun-il's feast day is January 21, the day of his death, and he is also venerated along with the rest of the 103 Korean martyrs on September 20.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n Catholic who was killed during the 19th–century Korean persecution of Christians
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. He was a family man who made his living as a farmer and who also served as a catechist, i.e. a teacher of Christian religion.
Death
St. John Yi Yun-il was killed at Gwandeokjeong, a military training center in the city of DaeguDaegu
Daegu , also known as Taegu, and officially the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the...
in modern-day South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, in the course of the Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
's persecution of Catholics that began in 1866. Though flogged until the flesh of his limbs was torn, he remained strong in the Christian faith, and he was finally decapitated
Decapitation
Decapitation is the separation of the head from the body. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, e.g., as a means of murder or execution; it may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, knife, wire, or by other more sophisticated means such as a guillotine...
.
Sainthood
He is venerated in the Catholic Church as a martyrChristian martyrs
A Christian martyr is one who is killed for following Christianity, through stoning, crucifixion, burning at the stake or other forms of torture and capital punishment. The word "martyr" comes from the Greek word μάρτυς, mártys, which means "witness."...
and was canonized
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
as one of 103 Korean martyr saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
s by Blessed John Paul II on May 6, 1984.
He is one of two patron saints of the Archdiocese of Daegu, along with Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes is the name used to refer to the Marian apparition said to have appeared before various individuals on separate occasions around Lourdes, France...
. His body is preserved in a chapel in the Archdiocese of Daegu. At the time of St. John's death, the site of his execution, Gwandeokjeong was used for the execution of criminals. Due to the number of Christian martyrs who were executed there, the site is now treated by the Archdiocese as a sacred place.
St. John Yi Yun-il's feast day is January 21, the day of his death, and he is also venerated along with the rest of the 103 Korean martyrs on September 20.