- 194 nations will participate via live broadcast –
February 14, 2013
The 2012 International Mass Wedding Ceremony at the Cheong Shim Peace World Center in Gapyeong, South Korea
The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) will hold the International Mass Wedding Ceremony, also known as the Cosmic Blessing, at 11:00 a.m. on February 17, 2013. (Korea Standard Time) at the Cheong Shim Peace World Center in Gapyeong, Korea. The Family Federation’s wedding ceremony is the largest mass wedding in the world. This will be the first wedding ceremony in which Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon will officiate the ceremony by herself after the ascension ceremony (Seonghwa) of her husband, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon six months ago. The wedding ceremony takes place before “Foundation Day,” (Giwon Jeol), which is the day that Dr. Sun Myung Moon proclaimed 12 years ago to be the day of unity and peace. The Foundation Day event signifies a new era for FFWPU centered on Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon.
For this International Mass Wedding Ceremony, more than 20,000 people will participate, including 1,000 newly-married couples, 2,500 previously married couples and 13,000 guests. The event order includes an address from Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, international president of FFWPU; a congratulatory message from Buddhist Monk In Gong; Holy Water ceremony; exchanging vows; exchanging rings and a proclamation of marriage.
The significance of the Family Federation’s International Mass Wedding Ceremony is to make ”ideal families” that transcend religion, race and nations by pledging their commitment to make “ideal families” centered on God. FFWPU teaches that the family centered on true love can bring world peace.
FFWPU’s wedding ceremony began with three couples in Korea in 1960. The ceremony was repeated internationally and has been held in various places more than 30 times chiefly in Korea and in the United States. The first mass wedding outside of Korea was held in Washington, D.C. in 1969 and included 13 couples. For this coming International Mass Wedding Ceremony it will be broadcast live via internet to 194 nations.
Brides and grooms
Before the wedding ceremony, there will be an evening banquet for brides and grooms to celebrate their blessing and to prepare vows at the Cheon Ah Camp in Gapyeong, Korea on February 16. 2013. There will be a buffet, a jazz band, a cappella choir and a group-proposal event for the couples to create happy memories before their wedding.
Family Federation for World Peace and Unification
Public Relations Department
Ho-yeul An, (02-3271-0543, 010-8626-1910)