Marian Advocations of Uzbekistan
Catholic Faith on the Silk Road
Uzbekistan, the most populous country in Central Asia (~ 35 million inhabitants), houses a small but fervent Catholic community of about 5,000 faithful, descendants of Poles, Germans, Lithuanians and Koreans deported by Stalin between 1930 and 1940. Catholicism was reborn after independence in 1991.
Main data
The Uzbek Catholic community is mostly of European origin: Poles, Germans, Lithuanians and Koreans whose ancestors were deported by the Soviet regime. For decades they lived their faith in secret. Today, religious freedom, although limited, is tolerated. Five parishes serve the faithful in a country of Muslim majority. Marian devotion is kept alive especially among the descendants of deportees, and the Korean community has its own devotion to Mary.
¡Wonders and Marian anecdotes of Uzbekistan
- La catedral de Taskent. The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was built in 1975 in secret during the Soviet era. The Catholics raised it at night, pretending it was an agricultural building. Today it is the center of Uzbek Catholic life. The image of the Virgin of Fatima presides over the side altar. Ο
- Polish deportees. During World War II, Stalin deported hundreds of thousands of Poles to Uzbekistan. Many died of hunger and cold. The survivors kept their Catholic faith secret, passing the rosary from hand to hand. Today, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren keep that faith alive.
- The communion of Samarkand. In Samarkand, the city of the blue mosques, there is a small Catholic community that meets in a chapel. Every Sunday, the faithful travel miles to attend Mass. The community is multi-ethnic: Koreans, Poles, Germans and Russians united by faith in Mary. -
- The miracle of the rosary in Taskent. During the COVID19 pandemic, the Catholic community of Taskent organized a permanent rosary of 24 hours for 40 days. Many Muslim Uzbek people joined the prayer. The community attributes to the Virgin the protection of the city. Ο
- The Korean Virgin of Taskent. La comunidad católica coreana en Taskent venera a María con el título de «Madre de la Paz». Trajeron consigo la devoción a la Virgen de Fátima desde Corea. La misa en coreano se celebra cada domingo en la catedral.
Marian advocacy in Uzbekistan
Click on each advocation to see more details.
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Taskent is the center of Catholic life in Uzbekistan. Built in 1975 during the Soviet era, the faithful built it at night, simulating that it was an agricultural warehouse so as not to raise suspicion. After independence, it was extended and consecrated as a cathedral. On his side altar he presides over an image of the Virgin of Fatima, much loved by the community.
"Sacred Heart of Jesus and Virgin of Fatima, pray for Uzbekistan.
Our Lady of Fatima (Taskent)
The devotion to Our Lady of Fatima came to Uzbekistan from the hands of the Korean missionaries and faithful who already venerated her in her country. The image chairs the side altar of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and is the center of pilgrimage every May 13. The Korean community in particular maintains a very special devotion to this vocation.
"Our Lady of Fatima, pray for the faithful of Uzbekistan.
Immaculate Conception (Samarkand)
In the millennial city of Samarcanda, famous for its blue tile mosques, a small multi-ethnic Catholic community meets in a chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. Every Sunday, the faithful travel long distances to attend Mass. The community is composed of Koreans, Poles, Germans and Russians, united by their faith in Mary.
"Immaculate Conception," pray for the community of Samarkand.
Virgin of the Rosary (Bukhara)
In Bukhara, the holy city of Uzbek Islam, there is a small Catholic community that meets around the devotion of the Rosary. The rosary tradition came with the missionaries and is kept alive thanks to the descendants of Polish and German deportees who found in this prayer a refuge during the Soviet persecution.
"Virgin of the Rosary, pray for the faithful of Bukhara.
Maria Auxiliadora (Ferganá)
In the Ferganá Valley, the most densely populated region of Uzbekistan, a community of faithful of German and Polish origin maintains devotion to Mary Auxiliadora. The local chapel is a meeting point for Catholics scattered in this region of the eastern part of the country, where Islam is more conservative.
Por María Auxiliadora, protege the faithful of the valley of Ferganá.
Santa María de Taskent (Korean)
La comunidad católica coreana en Taskent venera a la Virgen María bajo el título de «Madre de la Paz», una advocación que llegó con los inmigrantes coreanos deportados durante la era soviética. La misa en coreano se celebra cada domingo en la Catedral del Sagrado Corazón. La comunidad coreana es una de las más activas y numerosas dentro del catolicismo uzbeko.
"The Mother of Peace, Santa Maria, pray for the Korean community of Uzbekistan.
Pages dedicated
These claims have their own page on our site:
A flower for the Virgin
It offers a prayer for the Catholics of Uzbekistan, who keep their faith alive on mission land. Pray a Hail Mary for them and for the peace of the world.
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