Major Holy Days Celebrated

Celebration of two major Holy Days – Day of God’s Eternal Blessing and Day of Cosmic Sabbath

Today, 16^th August, Unificationists all over the world celebrate one of the Holy Days of the Family Federation – Declaration Day of God’s Eternal Blessing. The Holy Day was established 32 years ago, at a special ceremony on 1^st July 1991 at Father and Mother Moon’s residence in the Hannam district of Seoul. In Korean, the day is simply called Chil Il Jeol, which directly translates as the “seven one holiday”, referring to the seventh month and the first day.

Since 2010, the day has been celebrated on the first day of the 7th month according to the Oriental lunar calendar, a day which usually falls in August according to our calendar.

From his London home, President of the Family Federation of Europe and the Middle East, Dr. Michael Balcomb, sent a special Holy Day message,

“Now in August, we celebrate two important Holy Days, Chil Il Jeol (The Day of God’s Eternal Blessing) and Chil Pal Jeol (The Day of Cosmic Sabbath), both established by Father and Mother Moon back in the 1990s.

Fumiko and I hope and pray that all of our ‘family’ in Europe and the Middle East will be able to take a moment to reflect on these days, and to once again gather our determination to keep moving forward with True Parents. Let’s especially pray for Mother Moon as we all continue this time of special devotion leading up to Father Moon’s Seonghwa Anniversary on 1^st September [commemorating the day he departed this life].

It is rather easy to say the words ‘God’s Eternal Blessing’ because, naturally, we always expect the Blessings of God to be eternal. Yet do we really believe that is the case? After all, we live in times where it often seems that the world of goodness is constantly under attack, and it is in fact rather hard to hold on to such words with complete confidence. We need to look to higher ground. Jesus, recognizing this same situation, said,

‘Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven […] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (Matthew 6:19-21)

Likewise, when we think about a Cosmic Sabbath [Sabbath both in heaven and on earth], let us pray that despite the struggles of our world today, our Heavenly Parent and True Parents and all of us can indeed celebrate a day of Sabbath rest, when all things are at peace.

We need that to recharge and revive ourselves. Of course, the next day we have to go back to work to do even more. But taking the mental and spiritual break is very important, and I recall how very free and relaxed Father and Mother Moon were on these two days in particular. At the same time, Father Moon often gave us a serious reminder of our responsibility. In 2001 on the 5^th anniversary of Chil Pal Jeol he declared,

‘I have no choice but to trust you. So I trust you to enact what you’ve heard today. I really want you to tell me someday, ‘I have done everything you told me to do. I have found my true self, created my own true family. Now, introduce me to God.’ Then I certainly will!’ (25^th August 2001)

We have the opportunity to celebrate these Holy Days today, 16^th August, which is Chil Il Jeol, or next Tuesday 22^nd August, which is Chil Pal Jeol, or this coming Sunday 20^th August as part of our regular worship services. Preparing an offering table and a holy environment is important, but let’s also offer our own minds and bodies in appreciation for Heavenly Parent’s Eternal Blessing and a day when all of Heaven and Earth can take a moment of Sabbath rest.”

Featured image above: From the celebration of the Declaration Day of God’s Eternal Blessing (Chil Il Jeol) 16th August in Seorak, South Korea. Photo: FFWPU

Introductory text: Knut Holdhus