Sukbaknam was a Korean Christian martyr who lived a saintly life as a virgin for forty-three years in the 1950s. Her legacy of martyrdom was passed down to her nephew, Dr. Hakto Pak (M.D., SNU graduate). In 1968, with a spirit of philanthropy, he abandoned a lucrative medical practice and instead founded EastWest Translation Service in Koreatown, Los Angeles. The purpose was to assist recent Korean immigrants, nurses, and pastors who were struggling to settle into their newly adopted country.
In 2015, Alexander Pak, Dr. Hak To Pak’s son, created a website to honor the memory of the martyr. In 2021, the monastery adopted EastWest Bible Institute (EWBI) and continues the tradition of serving, witnessing and fulfilling the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In 2023, after thirty-nine years of active ministry spreading the gospel, Brother Alex decided to embark on a new journey by using his gift: teaching adjudicated youth in a juvenile detention setting. It is a privilege and a challenging calling, but with a spirit of martyrdom, he has chosen to give all he has. His students have received him well, creating a win-win combination.
To focus on this fresh path, Martyr Sukbaknam Monastery’s name will be changed to Martyr Sukbaknam Hermitage (in Korean: 순교자 석박남 허미티지). Religiously, a hermitage is a place where individuals or groups live and pray. This tradition dates back to the fourth century in the Egyptian desert. There, pious hermits and monks gathered around Nitria and Kellia, living and struggling with asceticism, perfection, and spiritual battles. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, a hermitage is called a Skete.
Unlike a monastery, a hermitage lacks permanent buildings, artifacts, and many rules or structures. It can be found in deserts, rural areas, or even large cities. Its flexibility depends on the means available.
Regarding the website content, there will be more articles and writings about prison life and experience. We have added a dedicated section called “Papers and Writings from Prison.
In 2015, Alexander Pak, Dr. Hak To Pak’s son, created a website to honor the memory of the martyr. In 2021, the monastery adopted EastWest Bible Institute (EWBI) and continues the tradition of serving, witnessing and fulfilling the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In 2023, after thirty-nine years of active ministry spreading the gospel, Brother Alex decided to embark on a new journey by using his gift: teaching adjudicated youth in a juvenile detention setting. It is a privilege and a challenging calling, but with a spirit of martyrdom, he has chosen to give all he has. His students have received him well, creating a win-win combination.
To focus on this fresh path, Martyr Sukbaknam Monastery’s name will be changed to Martyr Sukbaknam Hermitage (in Korean: 순교자 석박남 허미티지). Religiously, a hermitage is a place where individuals or groups live and pray. This tradition dates back to the fourth century in the Egyptian desert. There, pious hermits and monks gathered around Nitria and Kellia, living and struggling with asceticism, perfection, and spiritual battles. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, a hermitage is called a Skete.
Unlike a monastery, a hermitage lacks permanent buildings, artifacts, and many rules or structures. It can be found in deserts, rural areas, or even large cities. Its flexibility depends on the means available.
Regarding the website content, there will be more articles and writings about prison life and experience. We have added a dedicated section called “Papers and Writings from Prison.