Paulo Miki

Paul Miki (Japaneseパウロ 三木, Pauro Miki, * 1565 in Kyoto, Japan, † February 5, 1597 in Nagasaki ) was a Japanese Catholic missionary, Jesuit and martyr. In the Catholic Church, he is one of the patron saints of Japan.

Life

Paul Miki, a Jesuit who had part in the spread of Christianity in Japan following Francis Xavier. He joined with 22 years in the Order, and was one of the locals that were prepared by the Jesuits for the missionary in Japan. As of 1587, the first Christians were persecuted.

The then ruler of Japan was Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He himself believed in Buddhism and Shinto, but he was initially tolerant of Christianity. Religious tolerance was initially even part of his policy. He expected that the tolerance towards Christianity could be the foreign trade promote. After visiting Kyushu, where at that time lived many Christians, however, he changed his religious policy in 1587 and banned the Christian faith. However, initially no Christians were persecuted and religious could be more active. The view of the Shogun of the nearby Philippines and the fear of the connection of Christianity with the European colonial policy were among the reasons that Hideyoshi in 1596 again wrote a prohibition against Christianity.

Crucifixion in Nagasaki

Paul Miki was taken in Osaka in December 1596 together with other Christians. All were Franciscans and Jesuits, or belonged to the Third Order of St.. Francis. They were first brought to Kyoto. On January 10, Hideyoshi ordered the execution of 24 Christians in Nagasaki. There were Japanese, Spanish, Mexican and Portuguese. They had to walk in the winter and go without shoes from Kyoto to Nagasaki. On the way to Nagasaki further two men were arrested because they had gone with them. There were also several young people among those arrested. From a three -year-olds, the governor wanted to distract with the promise of great honor of his faith, the sentence is handed down:

The joys and honors of life are just foam on the water, like the morning dew on the grass. The joys and honors of heaven, however, are eternal.

Them the confession was taken in Nagasaki by a Jesuit. On the day of execution was a curfew, while about 4,000 people came to the place of execution. On February 5, at 10 clock they were crucified in Nagasaki and are regarded as the first Christian martyrs in Japan. Pope Urban VIII said Paul Miki and his companions in 1627 saved. 1862, after the re- admission of the confession to the Catholic Church in Japan, Pope Pius IX. the martyrs of Nagasaki sacred.

Remembrance

• Catholic, February 6 - ( memorial of St Paul Miki bid and companions in general Roman calendar. )
• Anglican, February 6, - Commemoration of the Martyrs of Nagasaki

Others

Paul Takashi Nagai, a " saint of Urakami " in the history of received survivor of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and author of the work " The Bells of Nagasaki " was, at his conversion to Catholicism the baptismal name " Paul" in reference to Paul Miki.