Thousands of couples in South Korea on Sunday took part in the first mass wedding organized by the Unification Church since the death of its founder San Myung Mun six months ago.
Around 3,500 couples were married in the ceremony, according to the Church, whose followers are known as Moonies, and 8,500 renewed their vows via video link.
The "cosmic holy blessing" was administered by Mun's wife, Hak Ja Han Moon, in the movement's headquarters in Kapyong, near Seoul, in front of a 13,000-strong audience.
Many of the couples were of different nationalities and were matched by Moon.
San Myung Mun, who claimed to be a messiah, died in September at the age of 92. He founded his church in 1954. Its mass weddings have attracted worldwide attention and he was often accused of brain
washing its followers. His business empire also made him a billionaire.