KBS's four-part major documentary for the corporation's founding, "Relics," followed steps of faith that find comfort and overcome suffering through the divine sign "relics." The broadcast that day in the Seoul metropolitan area reached a rating of 5.1% (Nielsen Korea), marking a strong start. This is the highest rating among KBS major documentaries in the past five years.
The program that aired on the 3rd (Tue), KBS's major documentary for the corporation's founding "Relics" (producers Kim Dong-il, Lee Song-eun, Kim Eun-gon), began its first episode, "The Covenant," with the story of 13-year-old boy "Kebrom," who wants to become a priest amid the civil war and poverty of Ethiopia, starting a journey of faith. In the Geralta area of the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia stands the Abunayemataqu Church perched on a sheer cliff at 2,580 meters above sea level. There, a replica of the ark of the covenant called the "tabot," said to bear the Ten Commandments Moses received from God, has been passed down as a sacred relic bearing a mysterious promise. Even though the "tabot" is a replica, only priests may look at it carelessly, and Orthodox believers have revered the "tabot" as equivalent to the ark of the covenant.
Kebrom, who was born and raised there, is a poor but bright boy. Kebrom risked his life to climb the sheer cliff to reach the church with only his bare hands and considered meeting God there a happiness. He hopes that one day he will become a priest, protect the "tabot" at Abunayemataqu Church and be a strength for his family and village. However, those who lost everything in the civil war between the Ethiopian government forces and rebel forces that began in 2020 continue to suffer in fear even after the gunfire stopped.
Kebrom's mother said, "During the war we had nothing, so I begged everywhere I went with my child. I can never forget that pain. That is why I want Kebrom to become a priest. Priests can teach and guide those who suffer," expressing her wish for her son to walk the path of faith. However, Kebrom's older brother, who had dreamed of becoming a priest and had even become a subdeacon, left for the city to earn money. Poverty continued to block Kebrom's journey toward his dream of priesthood.
Nevertheless, Kebrom did not stop praying to become a priest, and his father sold even the cherished sheep to pay his son's tuition. After completing two years of priest training, Kebrom became a subdeacon. After finishing theological classes and church service, Kebrom can become an ordained priest. Kebrom's ordination was a hope for the community beyond his family. Before the ark of the covenant, the "tabot," Kebrom, as the new subdeacon of Abunayemataqu Church, confessed, "I am happy to serve God and to carry the cross. I will pray for the villagers and let the world know about this church." Whether Kebrom's prayer, who holds God's covenant in his heart at the edge of a steep world, will reach God, the first episode ended with a deep aftertaste.
Meanwhile, episode 2, "Invitation," goes to Italy. In Turin Cathedral in Italy is the most controversial and at the same time most mysterious relic in Catholicism, the "shroud." Before the "shroud," which over centuries has become a sign of suffering and love, stands a visually impaired nun, "Maria." Sister Maria, who lives in community at St. Gaetano Convent, prays like other nuns, helps with laundry and cleaning, and brings communion to those with physical difficulties.
She was not always blind. On a day in her teens, darkness enveloped Maria. Maria's mother said, "Maria asked, 'Mom, why me? Why of all people me? What did I do wrong?'...who can answer that?" conveying her daughter's despair at the time of losing her sight. However, in the pitch-black despair Maria felt the presence of an unseen God; Turin's "shroud" is a representative sign that made Maria feel the presence of Jesus. Having lost her sight, she will invite viewers in "Invitation" to the world of faith. In particular, devout Catholic and actor Kim Hee-ae, who has the baptismal name "Maria," accompanies the episode as narrator.
Kim Hee-ae is expected to add deep empathy by reflecting with Sister Maria on the value and meaning contained in the "shroud," which carries traces reminiscent of Jesus' suffering on the cross in the Bible.
Of the four-part series "Relics" commemorating KBS's founding, episode 2, "Invitation," will air on KBS1 at 10 p.m. on Wed., March 4.
[Photo] OSEN DB, 'Relics'
[OSEN]