Saint Papylus of Pergamus

Biography

Saint Petrus Yi Hoyong, also known as Peteuro, Pietro, or Peter, was born in 1803 in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. He was the brother of Saint Agatha Yi So-sa and grew up in a devout Catholic family. During his time, the Christian faith faced severe persecution in Korea, and yet, despite the dangers, Petrus Yi Hoyong dedicated his life to spreading the teachings of Catholicism. He became a layman catechist in the apostolic vicariate of Korea, working alongside the clergy to evangelize and educate fellow Koreans about the Catholic faith. Petrus Yi Hoyong's commitment to his faith came at a great cost. In 1835, he was imprisoned for his beliefs and endured unimaginable suffering for four agonizing years. During his imprisonment, he was regularly beaten, and several of his bones were broken. Despite the physical and emotional torment, Petrus Yi Hoyong remained steadfast in his faith, finding solace in prayer and the love of God. Sadly, the relentless mistreatment eventually took its toll, and on November 25, 1838, Petrus Yi Hoyong succumbed to his injuries and died in Seoul Prison. His death was a testament to his unwavering faith and his willingness to endure persecution for the sake of Christ. Saint Petrus Yi Hoyong is considered one of the earliest Martyrs of Korea, joining the ranks of countless other Korean Catholics who bravely sacrificed their lives for their faith. His feast day is celebrated on November 25 and is also commemorated on September 20 as one of the Martyrs of Korea. It was only in 1925 that Pope Pius XI officially recognized the martyrdom of Saint Petrus Yi Hoyong, venerating him for his courageous witness to the Christian faith. On July 5, 1925, Pope Pius XI beatified him, acknowledging his sanctity and the example he set for other Catholics facing religious persecution. Finally, on May 6, 1984, Saint Petrus Yi Hoyong was canonized by Pope John Paul II. This act affirmed his holiness and recognized him as a beloved and revered figure in the Catholic Church. Although he does not have a known patronage, Saint Petrus Yi Hoyong serves as an inspiration to all believers, inspiring them to stand firm in their faith, even in the face of adversity.