Virgin Mary Statue from France Marks "Discovery of Christians" at Oura Cathedral
Built in 1864 by French priests Louis Furet and Bernard Petitjean, Ōura Cathedral, officially known as the Basilica of the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan, stands as a testament to faith and endurance in Nagasaki. This Catholic church was erected to honor the 26 martyrs executed in 1597 and quickly became a landmark. It was Japan’s first Western-style building to be designated a National Treasure in 1933, and it remains the oldest surviving Christian church in the country.
Originally a small wooden church, it was expanded into a grand Gothic-style brick basilica by 1879. A pivotal moment in its history occurred in 1865 when hidden Christians from Urakami revealed their faith to Father Petitjean, an event known as the “Discovery of Christians.” This remarkable revelation came after more than 250 years of secrecy due to Japan's ban on Christianity. The cathedral miraculously survived the atomic bomb attack in 1945, was subsequently restored, and its National Treasure status was reaffirmed in 1953. Its profound significance in the history of hidden Christians led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018.
Ōura Cathedral: A Beacon of Faith and Resilience #japan #travel #nagasaki (YouTube link)
Photo Gallery
The photographs taken on April 7, 2025, beautifully capture this essence, serving as a visual testament to the church's historical allure.
Diamond Princess Cruise Sighted En Route to Oura Cathedral
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