Celebrating 9 Years: To Love and To Cherish
FFWPU-USA
Happy 9th anniversary to thousands of international couples who participated in the Holy Marriage Blessing ceremony in the “Era to Open the Gates to the Victory, Liberation, and Completion of the True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind” on March 24, 2012!
This was the first Holy Marriage Blessing ceremony held at the newly-dedicated CheongShim World Peace Center in South Korea, which opened on March 22, two days before the international event. It was also the last ceremony officiated by the late Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, co-founder of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU), before his ascension in September 2012.
More than 20,000 Unificationist couples from 54 countries participated in the ceremony, along with 2,500 newlywed couples and 1,100 couples who reaffirmed their marriage vows. About a hundred nations broadcasted the ceremony live via satellite, while another 92 countries held their own Marriage Blessing ceremonies with previously-recorded materials.
The impressive venue and large number of participants attracted widespread interest. News outlets worldwide covered the event, including the BBC which aired a special in Britain that followed three young British individuals and their partners who went to the ceremony in Korea. A variation of the BBC version also aired in the U.S. as it followed three young American individuals and their partners.
This Marriage Blessing held great significance because Rev. Moon was able to open the gates of victory, liberation, and completion of the True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind, and bestow God’s grace of forgiveness and rebirth on all who participated. True Parents is an affectionate term for Rev. and Dr. Moon. The CheongShim World Peace Center has served as the main venue for the international Marriage Blessing ceremonies officiated by FFWPU co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon.
Congratulations to all the couples worldwide who are celebrating today!
You can learn more about the Marriage Blessing movement here.
