August 23, 2013
Translated by Lymhwa Kim
Edited by Krista Moon
For Immediate Release
Contact: Doug Burton Media Relations, Family Federation for World Peace and Unification
August 23, 2013
120 Pieces of Rev. Moon’s Mementos are opened to the Public for the First Time
The First Anniversary of the Universal Seonghwa of Sun Myung Moon, the True Parent of Heaven, Earth and Humankind – August 23, 2013, Gapyeong, Korea.
About 25,000 attendants, including VIPS, who love and miss Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon have returned to attend his Memorial Ceremony in Gapyeong, Korea for the one-year anniversary of his Seonghwa (Ascension) Ceremony on August 23, 2013 (or July 17, 2013 according to the lunar calendar). People have gathered from 60 nations, including 7,000 people from Japan. Also, members of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) have come from around the world. Members who could not physically attend the event in Korea participated via live Internet broadcast, which was sent out to 193 nations. FFWPU celebrates their significant days by the lunar calendar; so FFWPU will commemorate Rev. Moon’s Seonghwa memorial annually on July 17th by the lunar calendar.
Some of Rev. Moon’s children, from left to right: Rev. Mrs. Ye Jin Moon, Mr. Kwon Jin Moon, Mrs. Sun Jin Moon, offered flowers as representatives of their family.
The following were VIP participants: Dr. Chul Seung Lee, Chairman, Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation; The Venerable Seong Ta, Head Monk of Bulguk Temple; Minister Sung Choon Park of Patriots and Veterans Affairs; Hon. Bong Ho Kim, Former Vice Chairman, Korean National Assembly. Hon. Domitien Ndayizeye, former President of Burundi; Mrs. Aude Ndayizeye, former First Lady of Burundi; Hon. Malimba Masheke, former Prime Minister of Zambia; Hon. Jose de Venecia, former Chairman of the National Assembly of the Philippines.
“The words peace activist, thinker, teacher, messiah does not fully explain the significance of Rev. Moon,“ explained The Venerable Seong Ta, Head Monk of Bulguk Temple, during his condolence message at the First Anniversary of the Universal Seonghwa of Sun Myung Moon, the True Parent of Heaven, Earth and Humankind.
The First Anniversary of the Universal Seonghwa of Sun Myung Moon, the True Parent of Heaven, Earth and Humankind was held in a solemn atmosphere. The ceremony started with the entrance of Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon who offered flowers to Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s photo. Dr. Chang Shik Yang, Vice Chairman of FFWPU-International, served as the emcee and gave the opening remarks.
“Rev. Moon led the transcendent religious movement,” said Mr. Jose de Venecia, former Chairman of the National Assembly of the Philippines, in his condolence message at the Memorial Ceremony.
At the first part, the Opening Prayer was given by Archbishop George Augustus Stallings, Jr. Offerings of flowers were made by family members and representatives. A video presentation of Rev. Moon’s life and achievements was shown. Memorial Addresses were given by Dr. Chul Seung Lee, The Venerable Seong Ta, Hon. Jose de Venecia, Then the Memorial Poems, “The Crown of Glory,” was presented by video as well as a reading of “Letter to My Father” by actress Hye Seon Jeong. Then White Paper was presented. A commemorative video for Rev. Sun Myung Moon was shown, and then Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon gave a speech. Throughout this event, participants reflected on the dedication and achievements of Rev. Moon as well as his determination to build world peace.
The famous Korean actress Hye Seon Jeong read commemorative poem “A Letter to My Father.”
During the speech, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon emphasized that we have to become one in heart. “I feel my husband, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, might appear and say ‘How have you been?’ We have realized one heart and one vision. We should praise Rev. Moon’s guidance and establish his vision of peace. Through this Seonghwa ceremony, Korea and Japan have become one. Representatives from Japan and Korea rode bicycles together for 20 days from Japan to the Korean 38th parallel to promote the reunification of South and North Korea. We should keep going forward for the sake of establishing heaven on earth, which embodies freedom, peace and unity worldwide. Rev. Moon is living with us in our heart. Let us establish the vision of heaven and be filial children of heaven.”
Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon took the stage during a performance with young Unificationist performers.
The Venerable Seong Ta said, “I’m honored to be here as a representative of Buddhism. Rev. Sun Myung Moon weathered the crisis like a martyr to make a peaceful world. The great achievements that Rev. Moon did are so various and deep. The words peace activist, thinker, teacher, messiah does not fully explain the significance of Rev. Moon. He quietly walked Heaven’s path called true love and lit the world through his philosophy.”
Standing in front of the Cheon Il Um Choir are several of Rev. Moon’s grandchildren, who performed together.
Mr. Jose de Venecia said, “I couldn’t imagine Rev. Moon passing away, he who had this endless enthusiasm with superhuman energy. I can feel that Rev. Moon is here at the memorial ceremony. Rev. Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon were always together and even now they are together. Rev. Moon led the transcendent religious movement and taught us that without cooperation between religions and religious leaders, the United Nations can’t succeed on its original mission. Also, he taught me that the family is a school of love. After the Blessing Wedding ceremony that was officiated by Rev. Moon and Dr. Han, my family got stronger. Let’s not make a sad memorial but achieve the peaceful world that Rev. Moon determined to create.”
Gloria del Paraguay gave a solo performance.
Part two of the event included commemorative performances. The order was a video of Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s favorite songs, a song performance by his grandchildren, a performance by singer Gloria del Paraguay, a performance by the Japanese Sun-hak Choir, Musical Gala Show ‘Crown of Glory’ and a group choir by all the performers.
There was a Musical Gala Show, interpreting the poem “Crown of Glory,” as one of the entertainment for the First Anniversary Memorial Ceremony.
The FFWPU made an exhibition of Rev. Moon’s 120 pieces of personal keepsakes that included daily supplies; clothes, pictures, etc., which were made open for viewing to the public for the first time. Also, the FFWPU released the condolence message from the North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. When Rev. Moon was alive, he maintained a very close relationship with North Korea through business and exchanges for the peaceful reunification of South and North Korea. Accordingly, North Korea always sent birthday presents to Rev. Moon and Dr. Han. This year (2013) North Korea sent a pair of rare Poongsan Dogs. This was the first publicized gift from North Korea. The male dog was named Jeong-ju, after Rev. Moon’s hometown and the female dog was named An-ju, after Dr. Han’s hometown.
The Entrance for the Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Keepsake Exhibition.
During this memorial period, numerous events contemplating the achievements of Rev. Moon and his life were arranged over seven days from August 17th to the 23rd. These events reminded members to inherit Rev. Moon’s peace ideology and vision 2020, which is to build a foundation for world peace. Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Keepsake Exhibition, Commemorative Photo Exhibition, Awards for the Commemorative Memoir Contest by UPF, International Leadership Conference (ILC), Rally for Unification, World Peace and Unification Art Festival, etc., were prepared for this memorial period.
The wedding Hanbok’s (Korean traditional dress) Father and Mother Moon wore at the True Parent’s Holy Wedding Ceremony in 1960.
A case display’s Rev’s Moon suit from the 1950’s (left) and suit that he wore when he met Kim Il Sung in North Korea on December 6, 1991.