Pocheon Martyrs' Shrine

History & origins

Blessed Francis Xavier Hong Gyo-man and his son Blessed Leo Hong In were among the early Catholics who received and spread the faith in the Pocheon area. While living in Pocheon, Hong Gyo-man encountered Catholic teaching through contact with Gwon Il-sin, and Hong In learned the doctrine in his father's circle and embraced the faith. After Father James Zhou Wen-mo entered Korea in 1794, both were baptized and devoted themselves to spreading the Gospel in Pocheon.

When the Sinyu Persecution began in 1801, father and son were arrested. Hong Gyo-man was interrogated by the State Tribunal and was martyred outside Seosomun in 1801. Hong In was questioned by the police authorities, transferred back to Pocheon, and beheaded there in 1802. Diocesan historical material records his martyrdom in Pocheon on January 30, 1802.

After the Church's beatification process, the two were beatified by Pope Francis in 2014 among “Paul Yun Ji-chung and 123 Companions.” On September 27 of that year, the Diocese of Chuncheon proclaimed the place associated with Hong In's martyrdom as Pocheon Martyrs' Shrine. The story of early lay evangelization and persecution was thus joined to an official place of pilgrimage in the present day.