Forced into hiding, Japan's 'Hidden Christians' kept their faith

In the special documentary titled "Keeping the Faith: The Story of Japan's Hidden Christians," TV personality and host Robi Domingo traveled to Japan to retrace the history of Christianity in its islands.

It's a side that had long been hidden in the pages of the country's history, and in the shores of the island of Kyushu.

Unknown to many, missionaries arrived in the island of Kyushu in the 16th century and baptized the locals to a foreign faith: Christianity. However, the feudal lords did not take this lightly, and banned the practice of the faith. But even after Christianity was prohibited, the islands sustained Christian communities for centuries.

In the documentary, viewers will discover the sites where the religion has flourished and survived despite the prohibition, explore the churches and monuments that were built as a testament to the faith, and find out how communities practice their religion up to this day.

Divided into a three-part travelogue, the TV specials will also tell the story of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the name of God, and showcase the ancient sites where the original Christians congregated to pray and worship.

It will reveal the Kakure Kirishitans (Hidden Christians) who went underground to practice their religion in secret, and how they were able to keep their beliefs and traditions for more than four centuries.

Do not miss this special documentary that will air ANC’s Documentary Hour, on December 14, 28, and January 11, 2018, at 8 p.m.