Honoring Sacrifice: A Memorial Day Reflected in Faith

June 6 marks Korea’s Memorial Day (현충일), a national holiday dedicated to remembering the soldiers and independence fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country. Now in its 70th year, the day holds profound meaning for many Koreans—and for one church community in Seoul, this year’s observance was made even more significant by faith.

A Day of Reflection at Yeongdeungpo Church

At Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Bartholomew Tribe, thousands of members gathered at Yeongdeungpo Church to commemorate Memorial Day through prayer, reflection, and biblical teaching. As sirens sounded across the nation at 10:00 a.m., the congregation observed a moment of silence to honor the fallen.

Seo Gyumin, Director of Internal Affairs for Bartholomew Tribe, led the day’s message. In his lecture, he emphasized that the religious freedom Koreans enjoy today was made possible by the blood of national heroes who gave their lives for their country. “Memorial Day is not just a holiday,” he said, “but a time to remember and be thankful to those who defended our nation with their lives.”

He further urged Christians to reflect not only on national heroes but also on the spiritual ancestors who were martyred for the faith. “Christians should deeply meditate on those who died to preserve the freedom of faith,” Seo said. In an interview, he added, “It’s important for the Christian world to regard Memorial Day with the value it deserves.”

The Christian Roots of Sacrifice

The message drew parallels between Korea’s historical path to independence and the early days of Christianity. Just as countless martyrs in the early church gave their lives to spread the gospel throughout Europe—leading to milestones like the Edict of Milan in 313 AD—those sacrifices laid the groundwork for Christianity becoming the world’s largest religion.

The article also noted that during Korea’s Japanese occupation, missionaries such as Homer Hulbert and Ernest Bethell contributed to the independence movement by spreading knowledge, resisting colonialism, and advocating for Korea on the international stage. Their efforts bore fruit in Korea’s eventual liberation in 1945.

A Time for Personal Reflection

Attendees expressed how the event inspired personal gratitude and reflection. One member, Lee Ji-eun (28, alias), who lives with her father—a retired army colonel—said, “Just as our nation’s heroes protected our country, I’m thankful for the spiritual martyrs who protected my values of faith. I won’t forget that my ability to worship today rests on their sacrifices.”

Another member, Lee Hyung-woo (77, alias), recalled friends lost in the Vietnam War. “It’s bittersweet. I miss them dearly, but I’m hopeful that the younger generation will carry our legacy forward,” he said. “No matter how hard things get, I hope they will keep pressing on.”

The Importance of Teaching the Next Generation

The article also mentioned concerns about the lack of awareness among younger generations regarding the meaning of Memorial Day. A 2012 survey showed that nearly half of elementary students did not know why it is a public holiday. In this context, the church’s Memorial Day event offered not only spiritual reflection but also a meaningful opportunity to teach historical and national values.

A representative from Shincheonji’s Bartholomew Tribe shared, “Our members seriously considered how they could spend this day meaningfully. This event allowed them to deepen both their patriotism and their faith.”

Source: https://vo.la/fQjFLwg