The article is devoted to the emergence of Christianity in Korea. The dominant position of Christianity now poses the obvious question, how did this come about? Indeed, in comparison with other countries of Northeast Asia, with the prevailing religious beliefs in the face of Buddhism, shamanism, faith in Christianity in Korea is more the exception. What preceded this phenomenon? What are the origins of the penetration of Christianity in Korea? How did the various trends of Christianity (Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodoxy) consolidate on the Korean Peninsula? Analysis of the penetration of Christianity begins from the VIIIth – Xth century, when the Kingdom of Silla received nestorian missionaries. Evidence of this are material sources. Nestorianism, as one of the trends of the Christian faith, received its flock, although this faith was mixed with local beliefs. The main penetration and consolidation of Christianity took place in the XVII–XIX centuries. The phenomenon of Korea, different from other countries of Northeast Asia, is also the fact that the Catholic faith was introduced to the peninsula without the help of European missionaries. This was done by the Koreans themselves, who were learning from the experience of the Europeans from China. The close interrelation of European science with religion made it possible to arouse an interest in Christianity among the Joseon intelligentsia. Later, towards the end of the XIXth century, with the discovery of Korea by Europeans, many missionaries, including Orthodox and Protestant, went to the peninsula. But their success was different. The active medical, teaching and educational activities of the Protestants had a definite influence. The duration of the mission also played a decisive role, the Orthodox, in fact, from the beginning of the Russian-Japanese war was completed, lasting only four years. The numerical superiority of the Protestant missionaries also could not but have a definite influence on the success of the consolidation of religion. It was the Protestant and Catholic areas of Christianity that were able to gain a foothold in the XXth century, find their followers among the local population and become dominant at the present time. Although the Orthodox Church still did not abandon its undertakings and was able to continue its activities in South Korea. The focus of the work is on the very process of penetration of Christianity in the face of its various currents, especially during the XVII–XIX centuries, as well as on the missionaries who preached this religion, their role and activities in Korea. It is the role of the missionaries themselves that is often crucial in the success of local people in adopting faith.

Larchenko (Solomatova) Valentina Yrievna, Postgraduate, Irkutsk State University, 1, K. Marx st., Irkutsk, 664003, Russian Federation, tel.: 8 (3952)24-38-75, e-mail: valentiinka@mail.ru

Larchenko V.Yu. The Emergence of Christianity (Nestorianism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodoxy) in Korea. The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series History, 2019, vol. 28, pp. 35-42. https://doi.org/10.26516/2222-9124.2019.28.35 (in Russian)

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