Celebrating ‘Heroes of the Providence’

On April 25, six thousand newlywed couples from around the world celebrated the moment of a lifetime. 

The virtual two-part Hyojeong Cosmic Blessing Festival, broadcasted live from South Korea, featured the marriage ceremony of 6,100 couples worldwide, officiated by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, who also celebrated her 61st Holy Wedding anniversary, True Parents’ Day, and Heavenly Parents’ Day. True Parents is an affectionate term for Dr. Moon and her late husband, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, co-founders of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU).

“This is a day when we make a new beginning,” said Dr. Moon. “Couples throughout the world are now receiving the Blessing from True Parents. They are being born as new Blessed families. May these new couples stand before the nation and before the world… and fulfill their responsibility as Blessed families.”

The global Marriage Blessing movement, intitatied in the 1960s by Rev. and Dr. Moon, has joined millions of couples from all backgrounds centered on God, our Heavenly Parent.

Dr. Moon said sharing the Marriage Blessing with the world is the responsibility of all Blessed couples, and that one third of the world must know and receive the Marriage Blessing to achieve Heavenly Parent’s wish of one family under God. “It is necessary that we show the direction to take,” she said, “as all of humanity must be guided to receive the Blessing… May [we] march forward with an unchanging heart toward that day of victory.”

“The Blessing is the greatest gift, the greatest blessing given to humanity by our Heavenly Parent and True Parents,” said the festival emcee. “The brides and grooms are the heroes of today’s Blessing… We applaud the virtuous men and women who are participating in the Blessing all around the world.”

Stunning entertainment by world-class musicians, singers, dancers, and other performers captivated the international audience where dozens of countries were represented. A symbolic peace offering was delivered by faith leaders of the world’s seven major religions before several newlywed couples welcomed Dr. Moon to the stage. All the couples then exchanged wedding rings and commitment vows.

“May [the Blessed couples] be remembered for eons in history,” said Dr. Moon, “and may they become heroes of the providence, patriots in the nation, and guide them that they may never waver from the path of the Blessing and that of Blessed families.”

The second half of the festival honored Dr. Moon’s 61st Holy Wedding anniversary, True Parents’ Day, and Heavenly Parent’s Day with a special cake, a number of beautiful musical performances, as well as congratulatory messages from world leaders. 

H.E. Frederico Franco, former president of Paraguay, said there is “nothing more important than marriage” and applauded Dr. Moon for hosting the festival. “Thank you Mother Moon, [and] to all the couples, I wish you happiness,” he said. “May God bless you abundantly and generously.”

“We thank God for his grace and love and sincerely thank Rev. and Dr. Moon for bringing forth this wonderful blessing of marriage,” said former U.S. congressman Hon. Dan Burton, who previously received the Marriage Blessing with his wife Samia. “The Blessing… is the most wonderful divine design plan of God. Strong loving families are the very cornerstone of a good society and nation.”

“On this very special day, we join the rest of the world in celebrating our beloved Mother of Peace on the 61st anniversary of your holy marriage,” added H.E. Nevers Mumba, former vice president of Zambia. “We send you our warmest congratulations. We love you and wish God’s richest blessings.”

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