Reverend Sun Myung Moon’s 100th Birthday Celebrated with Global Peace Initiatives and Legacy Commemoration

The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, commonly known as the Unification Church, is marking the 100th anniversary of its founder, Reverend Sun Myung Moon, and the 77th birthday of his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. Celebrations are taking place across the United States and internationally, with major events planned in South Korea. The centenary commemorations include the World Summit 2020, a global peace gathering, and a Marriage Blessing Ceremony in Seoul. The events aim to highlight the couple’s legacy of promoting peace and reconciliation.

Reverend Moon, born in what is now North Korea, experienced war firsthand and dedicated his life to fostering peace through a family-based movement. He and his wife founded numerous organizations and initiatives aimed at world peace, surpassing many other public figures in their scope. Their efforts included promoting intercultural and international marriages through the Marriage Blessing Ceremony, which brought couples together across national and racial lines. Reverend Moon began his public ministry at age 15, establishing a global movement focused on unification and peace within his lifetime.

Reverend Moon emphasized that the foundation of global peace begins with the family, which he believed should be rooted in a relationship with the Creator. “Our ultimate responsibility is to build world peace, but global peace begins in the family,” he stated. This philosophy guided the Unification Church’s mission, which sought to rebind the relationship between the Creator and each family as a step toward world peace.

Reverend Moon was known for his approach to reconciliation, even with his enemies. He endured nearly three years of imprisonment in a North Korean concentration camp under the regime of Kim Il Sung. Despite this, he maintained a commitment to peace and predicted the fall of the Soviet Union decades before it occurred. His contributions to global peace were recognized by numerous world leaders, including Mikhail Gorbachev, Yasuhiro Nakasone, and Barack Obama, who sent congratulatory messages over the years.

Following Reverend Moon’s passing in 2012, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon has continued his legacy, leading initiatives to promote good governance and interfaith dialogue. She has organized global speaking tours and expanded the Peace Starts with Me rallies into one of the most recognized peace events. Her efforts reflect the ongoing commitment of the Unification Church to the principles of peace and unity that Reverend Moon championed.

Source: Read the original report