Thousands of couples take part in the Unification Church's International Mass Wedding Ceremony, also known as the Cosmic Blessing, at Cheong Shim Peace World Center in Gapyeong, South Korea, on Sunday, February 17. More than 20,000 people were expected to participate, including 1,000 couples getting married for the first time, 2,500 previously married couples, and 13,000 guests. The ceremony signifies the transcending of race and religion by creating God-centered families, according to the church, which is known for mass weddings and arranged matches.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
Thousands of couples take part in the Unification Church's International Mass Wedding Ceremony, also known as the Cosmic Blessing, at Cheong Shim Peace World Center in Gapyeong, South Korea, on Sunday, February 17. More than 20,000 people were expected to participate, including 1,000 couples getting married for the first time, 2,500 previously married couples, and 13,000 guests. The ceremony signifies the transcending of race and religion by creating God-centered families, according to the church, which is known for mass weddings and arranged matches.
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Hak Ja Han Moon, right, the widow of the late Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, sprinkles the church's holy water onto newly married couples. This was the first Cosmic Blessing since the death of Sun Myung Moon, who <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2012%2F09%2F02%2Fworld%2Fasia%2Fsouth-korea-reverend-moon-dead" target="_blank">passed away in September 2012</a>.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
Hak Ja Han Moon, right, the widow of the late Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, sprinkles the church's holy water onto newly married couples. This was the first Cosmic Blessing since the death of Sun Myung Moon, who passed away in September 2012.
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A bride waits for her wedding ceremony to begin.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
A bride waits for her wedding ceremony to begin.
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Mongolian bride Baatar Chuluun holds her groom's picture during the mass ceremony.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
Mongolian bride Baatar Chuluun holds her groom's picture during the mass ceremony.
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Thousands of couples fill the center.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
Thousands of couples fill the center.
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A couple wait for their wedding ceremony to begin.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
A couple wait for their wedding ceremony to begin.
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A couple pray.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
A couple pray.
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The brides and grooms bow.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
The brides and grooms bow.
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Newly married couples hold hands to pray.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
Newly married couples hold hands to pray.
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Couples exchange their wedding rings.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
Couples exchange their wedding rings.
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A bride puts a ring on her groom's hand.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
A bride puts a ring on her groom's hand.
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Couples cheer during the wedding ceremony.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
Couples cheer during the wedding ceremony.
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Confetti falls on the newly married couples.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
Confetti falls on the newly married couples.
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A man and wife embrace.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
A man and wife embrace.
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Couples walk through the hallways.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
Couples walk through the hallways.
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A couple looks at an iPod after the ceremony.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
A couple looks at an iPod after the ceremony.
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A bride looks on.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
A bride looks on.
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A bride passes through a door at the center.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
A bride passes through a door at the center.
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A couple have their picture taken in front of a giant heart.
Unification Church holds mass wedding —
A couple have their picture taken in front of a giant heart.
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