Agatha Yi Kyong-i
Saint Agatha Yi Kyong-i was a Korean Catholic martyr who lived from 1814 to 1840. She is remembered for her unwavering faith during severe persecution, her efforts to convert her family, and her ultimate sacrifice for her beliefs. She was canonized in 1984 by Pope John Paul II.
- Feast Day
- January 31
- Century
- 19th century
- Country Or Region
- Korea
Key Facts
- ›She was born into a Catholic family and converted her relatives to Christianity.
- ›She lived with St. Agatha Kwon Chin-I after being advised by her bishop to separate from her husband.
- ›Agatha was arrested, placed under house arrest, and later escaped with Chin-I and a servant girl.
- ›She was re-arrested after the servant girl revealed their hiding place.
- ›Agatha was severely tortured and beaten but refused to renounce her faith.
- ›She was beheaded on January 31, 1840, at the age of 27, along with five other Catholics.
About Agatha Yi Kyong-i
St. Agatha Yi Kyong-i
St. Agatha Yi Kyong-i (1814–1840) is a Korean saint and martyr, venerated within the Catholic Church. She is recognized for her profound faith and sacrifice during a period of intense religious persecution in Korea.
Life and Faith
Born into a Catholic family, Agatha Yi Kyong-i's life was marked by her devotion. She married a eunuch, but with the guidance of her bishop, she separated from him and went to live with St. Agatha Kwon Chin-i, as her mother was unable to support her. Agatha was instrumental in converting her own family to Christianity and actively visited and assisted many other Catholics. Her strong desire was to become a martyr for her faith.
Persecution and Martyrdom
Agatha Yi Kyong-i, along with St. Agatha Kwon Chin-i and a servant girl, was arrested and placed under house arrest. Although their guards initially helped them escape, the servant girl was recaptured and revealed their hiding place. This led to their re-arrest and the punishment of the guards who had aided their escape. The women endured severe torture and beatings but remained steadfast in their faith. At the age of 27, Agatha was beheaded on January 31, 1840, in Danggogae, now part of the Yongsan district of Seoul. She was executed with five other Catholics, including St. Agatha Kwon Chin-i.
Historical Context and Legacy
Her execution occurred during the "infamous 1839–1840 Gihae Persecution," a significant wave of persecution against Catholics in Korea, which lasted for a century and saw up to 10,000 martyrs. St. Agatha Yi Kyong-i was part of a group of ten prisoners executed together, including St. Mary Yi Seong-rye. In recognition of their faith and sacrifice, nine of the Danggogae martyrs, including St. Agatha, were canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984. There is a shrine dedicated to the martyrs at Danggogae, honoring a significant number of Korean martyred saints.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Saint Agatha Yi Kyong-i born and when did she die?
Saint Agatha Yi Kyong-i was born in 1814 and died in 1840. She was martyred at the age of 27.
What was Saint Agatha Yi Kyong-i known for?
She is known as a Korean saint and martyr. She is remembered for her strong faith during a period of intense persecution of Catholics in Korea, her efforts to convert her family, and her refusal to abandon her beliefs even under torture.
What persecution was Saint Agatha Yi Kyong-i part of?
She was executed during the infamous 1839–1840 Gihae Persecution, which was part of a larger 100-year period of Catholic persecution in Korea. This persecution arose partly because Catholics were perceived as a threat to local Confucian ideals.
How was Saint Agatha Yi Kyong-i martyred?
She was arrested with St. Agatha Kwon Chin-i and a servant girl. After an initial escape, they were recaptured. Agatha was then severely tortured and beaten, but she did not give up her faith. She was ultimately beheaded on January 31, 1840, in Danggogae.
When was Saint Agatha Yi Kyong-i canonized?
Saint Agatha Yi Kyong-i was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984. She was among a group of 103 Korean martyrs and French missionaries recognized for their sacrifice during the waves of persecutions in Korea.
Related Saints
Agatha Kwon Chin-i
Agatha Kwon Chin-i was a Korean Catholic convert and martyr, born in 1820. She is remembered for her steadfast faith and refusal to renounce Catholicism despite severe torture, leading to her execution in 1840. She is one of the 103 Korean Martyrs canonized by the Catholic Church.
Andrew Kim Taegon
Andrew Kim Taegon was the first Korean Catholic priest and is the patron saint of Korean clergy. He was martyred for his faith in 1846 during a period of persecution in Korea. He is remembered for his dedication to his religion and his ultimate sacrifice.
Marie-Nicolas-Antoine Daveluy
Marie-Nicolas-Antoine Daveluy was a French missionary and bishop who served in Korea. He is remembered as a scholar of the Korean language and a martyr for his faith, canonized as one of the 103 Korean martyrs.