20th Anniversary: 144,000 Clergy Interfaith Marriage Blessing

Happy 20th anniversary to all the couples of the 144,000 Clergy Interfaith Marriage Blessing! On April 27, 2002, True Parents officiated the ceremony at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, for some 700 representative clergy couples.

Thousands of other couples participated in all 50 states and 196 nations via satellite connection. Thirty couples who received the Marriage Blesing came from the Nation of Islam and were sent by the Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan. Twenty-one Buddhist couples came from Korea, and more than 21 Sikh leaders

participated from the Washington, DC area.

Faith leaders representing all major religions offered prayers during the ceremony. The couples also received commendations from four U.S. governors and 25 members of Congress, including several U.S. senators. Numerous media outlets, including the United Press International, Associated Press, ABC national, CBS local, The Washington Times, and Spanish-language and African-American newspapers all covered the event. True Parents said the interreligious and international ceremony was a “total victory.”

Congratulations to all the couples celebrating worldwide!