118 Unification church couples wed in England

Today, we look back on a historic event that took place on May 21, 1978 – the marriage of 118 Unification church couples in England. This event was significant not only for the individuals involved but also for the history and legacy of the Unification church. Let’s delve into the details of this memorable day.

On that spring day in 1978, followers of the Unification church gathered in England to participate in a mass wedding ceremony. The Unification church, also known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, was founded by Reverend Sun Myung Moon. The church emphasizes the importance of family and the role of marriage in creating a more harmonious world.

The wedding ceremony held on May 21 was particularly remarkable due to the large number of couples involved. 118 Unification church couples from different countries and backgrounds came together to exchange vows and celebrate their commitment to one another. The event symbolized the church’s mission of fostering world peace through building strong and loving families.

The venue chosen for this momentous occasion was the Queen Elizabeth II conference center in Westminster, London. The couples had been preparing for this day for months, undergoing a series of workshops and training sessions to strengthen their relationships and prepare for married life. The ceremony itself was a grand affair, with intricate decorations, lively music, and a jubilant atmosphere that filled the air.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the Unification church weddings is the way in which the couples are matched and introduced to each other. According to the church’s teachings, Reverend Moon acts as a matchmaker, using a process known as “divine matching” to determine the compatibility of couples. Through this process, individuals are matched based on their spiritual and personal qualities, rather than solely on physical attraction or material considerations.

This unique approach to matchmaking has drawn both admiration and criticism over the years. Supporters argue that it promotes deeper understanding and long-term compatibility in relationships, while skeptics question the effectiveness of such a method. Nevertheless, for the couples involved in the 1978 mass wedding, the focus was on the love and commitment they shared, rather than the process by which they were matched.

The significance of the May 21, 1978 wedding extended beyond the personal commitments and celebrations. It served as a powerful demonstration of the Unification church’s vision of a unified world, where people from diverse backgrounds come together in love and harmony. Reverend Moon believed that by uniting couples from different races, cultures, and nationalities, a foundation for global peace could be established.

In the years following the mass wedding, the Unification church continued to hold similar ceremonies, often on a larger scale, bringing together thousands of couples from around the world. These events not only solidified the church’s beliefs and practices but also attracted media attention, both positive and negative.

Critics of the Unification church questioned the legitimacy and motivations behind these mass weddings. Some characterized them as forced or arranged marriages, arguing that the couples had little choice in their partners. The church, on the other hand, maintained that participants willingly chose to participate in these ceremonies and that true love and commitment formed the basis of the unions.

the marriage of 118 Unification church couples in England on May 21, 1978, stands as a significant event in the history of the Unification church. It represents the church’s mission of promoting world peace through strong and loving families. While the mass weddings attracted both admiration and criticism, they remain an essential part of the Unification church’s legacy. Today, we remember this historic event and the couples who took a leap of faith in the pursuit of love and unity.