Hak Ja Han
August 30, 2015
The third anniversary of True Father’s Seonghwa was commemorated at the Cheongshim Peace World Center in Korea, where thousands of Unificationists including True Parents’ family, as well as dignitaries and leaders from around the world, gathered to celebrate True Father’s noble life and legacy. Over 1,200 viewers from 192 countries also watched the event via live broadcast.
This third and final international global service for True Father’s Seonghwa anniversary holds great significance in True Mother’s heart and those of Unificationists worldwide, for in Korean culture a three year mourning period is customarily offered to God after the ascension of a loved one. This event was a beautiful expression of gratitude toward True Father, determination to carry his legacy forward, and commemoration of his life lived for the sake of others.
During a pre-event introduction, several performances encouraged reflection on True Father’s life. The completely filled venue witnessed a moving, international musical offering by the 200 recent alumni of the Global Top Gun Workshop. They sang “The Father’s Dwelling Place” in Korean and “You Raise Me Up,” their voices strong and united despite their multilingual backgrounds. Then, the much anticipated Universal Peace Choir -- a virtual choir made up of over 350 singers from around the world -- sang a medley of True Parents’ favorite songs. Along with a live choir, a screen projected the videos of all participating singers.
The event began with Rev. Kyeong Seuk Lu, president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) Korea and co-executive chair of the Universal Seonghwa Committee, as emcee.
“We are gathered here to celebrate and inherit the peace endeavors of Rev. Moon,” he began. “Today, on this third anniversary Seonghwa memorial, we offer gratitude to True Father who was in the forefront of the work of our Heavenly Parent, a peace-loving global citizen. True Father’s love is the greatest blessing in our lives and is a lamp that will never go out.” He directed everyone’s attention to True Father’s portrait on the screen, surrounded by thousands of white flowers in full bloom.
After his introduction, True Mother entered the stadium and offered flowers before True Father’s portrait. Everyone took a moment of silence to pay their respects, and then Joon Seok An, FFWPU International Vice Chairman, said an opening prayer, fondly recollecting True Father, his love and smile, his words, and his legacy.
The event opened with a floral tribute, as members of True Parents’ family, leaders, Unificationist elders and Peace Ambassadors walked onto the stage and offered flowers in honor of True Father.
As they took their seats, everyone welcomed Sun Jin Moon, FFWPU International President, to the podium for a memorial address. She touched upon significant moments in True Father’s life, and exuded awe and gratitude at the legacy that he left behind.
“When I think of True Father, I see him even hugging his enemy,” she said. “Nothing could stop him from expressing true love. If I focus on one central theme that characterizes his entire life, it is a theme of unification, of oneness. This core principle was used for the sake of establishing one family under God, and every project had this vision in mind.”
At the end of her message, she asked everyone to stand, turn to their neighbor and offer a big hug just like True Father would. She emphasized that H stands for Harmony, U for Unity, and G for Gratitude to God.
A couple of eulogies were then shared by Lee Soo Seong, former Prime Minister of Korea, and Anote Tong, President of the Republic of Kiribati and co-laureate of the first Sunhak Peace Prize.
“Rev. Moon promoted the mature path of realizing a global unity by walking the path of interracial, interreligious and international reconciliation,” said Soo Seong Lee. “He may have ascended but his words remain etched in our hearts.”
Anote Tong, on a similar note, said, “Sun Myung Moon is a man whose life and work has reached all corners of the globe and will remain a beacon for generations to come. Rev. and Mrs. Moon’s vision of a world that coexists in harmony is embodied in the principles that Rev. Moon has taught -- the principle of living for the sake of others. As parents and grandparents ourselves, we can easily understand and associate ourselves with such a principle, for our children and grandchildren are what give meaning to our lives and are the reason for which we must advocate for a peaceful and safe world.”
As one of True Father’s greatest wishes was the reunification of Korea, it was heartwarming to also discover that Premier Kim Jong Un sent his condolences with a gift and message to True Parents. The screen displayed his gift, and the audience applauded warmly at this gesture. “Let us hope that the doors between North and South Korea open up wide,” said Rev. An.
A commemorative video displayed the providential work of True Parents, including historical footage of True Father, his final prayer, his Seonghwa ceremony in 2012 and the continuation of his legacy in the last three years.
Everyone then warmly welcomed True Mother to give the main address. She led everyone together in song, singing Sarang Hae, and then reflected in her message that Heaven chose Korea, a then unknown nation to receive True Parents, who lived not in glory but in sacrifice. She said that even though they walked this difficult path, True Parents were determined to realize the will and dream of God. They invested themselves and resolved to accomplish this mission. She spoke of True Father’s providential work in America, the challenges he fought and overcame, and how he educated people in every walk of life. She encouraged everyone to reflect on what they would like to tell True Father, and to tell him not to worry, that the culture of heart he has been championing his entire life will become a reality worldwide.
Everyone applauded in support to share in this determination, and as True Mother took her seat again in the audience, a commemorative performance organized by FFWPU Japan commenced.
This musical and dance performance, titled “A Person Who Loved Japan More than Anybody Else,” expressed True Father’s life achievements. With vivid emotion and graceful movement, performers delivered a message of dedication to True Parents’ vision. Through the musical they expressed their gratitude and love for True Father and True Mother, and gave everyone a final opportunity to reflect on True Father’s life and heart. In the final song, the background screen displayed a slideshow of images from Japanese Unificationists. Universal Peace Academy (UPA) cadets joined the performers on stage holding flags of different countries, the song lyrics calling everyone to action in carrying forward the legacy.
As the memorial celebration drew to a close, there was a chance for everyone to offer a flower tribute and share a moment with True Father in reflection and prayer.
“This is the beginning of something new,” reflected Top Gun participant and official blogger, M. Kim. “We are blessed to embark on our Top Gun alumni journey after commemorating the third anniversary of True Father’s Seonghwa. I hope we can continue to keep this international network and begin laying down plans for the future of our movement. Most of all, I hope we can keep a sincere connection with our Heavenly Parent and True Parents.”
Following the Seonghwa memorial, there was a Victory Celebration during which Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, Continental Chair of FFWPU North America, and Dr. Michael Balcomb, FFWPU USA President, offered True Mother a gift on behalf of America: a poster highlighting all of True Parents’ speaking tours in America in the last 50 years. This is a reminder of all that True Parents have done for America, and all that America pledges to do in return, standing by True Mother’s side and bring True Father’s legacy to unforeseen greatness, building a world of peace for God and for humanity.
