Myeongdong Cathedral, Seoul

About this place

Myeongdong Cathedral, the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Seoul, is where the Korean Catholic Church community was first born, and it is the representative holy site of Korean Catholicism, enshrining the remains of martyr saints. It is located in Myeongdong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul. It is the first large-scale Gothic-style Catholic church built on the Korean Peninsula and Korea's first parish church (a church where a priest resides and carries out ministry). It was designated a Historic Site of the Republic of Korea on November 22, 1977. The crypt is a sacred holy site where the remains of martyrs such as Bishop Imbert, Father Maubant, and Father Chastan are interred. On September 10, 1900, the remains of martyrs of the Byeongin Persecution, including Bishop Berneux, were moved from Yongsan Seminary and placed in the cathedral's crypt, but were later moved to their places of origin; in 1926, the remains of 79 martyrs of the Gihae and Byeongo persecutions were placed in the crypt, and later an altar of the Blessed was installed in the left cloister of the cathedral and the sacred images of the 79 were enshrined. During the war in 1950, the cathedral was occupied by the North Korean army, and the remains of the martyrs interred in the crypt were even damaged. Passing through the era of military rule, it also came to be recognized as a center of the pro-democracy struggle. In 1991, the deteriorated remains were wrapped, the corroded lead coffins and the like were newly made, and after the remains were placed and sealed in stone coffins, they were enshrined in a newly and neatly refurbished crypt, and the work was completed by erecting stone tablets bearing epitaphs. The entrance to the burial area was remodeled and fitted with glass doors so that pilgrims can pay their respects at any time. Mass and confession are held on weekdays and weekends. Even non-believers may take part, and at Christmas one can feel a solemn atmosphere amid the dazzling street decorations all around.