By FFWPU Australia
From September 24 to 26, the international chairman of Mandaeism[1], Mr. Fouad Sobbi, together with his wife visited Cheon Jeong Gung and several providential places in South Korea.
Mandaeism is a religious group that carries on the lineage of John the Baptist and still performs baptism with water. They have around 100,000 members in the world. Mr. Sobbi is the 32nd descendant of John the Baptist and a devout believer.
On September 24th, they were invited to the True Love Festival service held at the Namyangju Church under Rev. Yong leadership and gave a special remark.
On September 25th, accompanied by Regional Chairman, Pres. Masaichi Hori, they visited Cheon Jeong Gung. With permission, they paid their respects to True Father at Bonhyangwon on behalf of all Mandaeans worldwide, offering a bouquet of flowers and prayers. During their prayers at Bonhyangwon, they both shed tears. They were deeply impressed and moved after learning about the significance of Cheon Jeong Gung and the historical achievements of True Parents throughout their lives.
They also met with the International Chairman, Pres. Young Chun Song. Pres. Song explained the Vision of True Mother and the Peace movement.
Since Pres. Song had previously served as Continental Director for Oceania and stayed in Australia, they had a heart-to-heart conversation. Mr. Sobbi received a book, selected words of True Parents in Korean, English, and Arabic, and is designed to educate Mandaeans. It also contains illustrations inspired by the True Father’s teachings.
On September 26th, they visited the Peace Embassy in Han Nam Dong.
Previously, their visits to Korea were mostly limited to attending large conferences and events, but this time, visiting and praying at each location gave them a deeper understanding and renewed determination to True Parents. They were informed about the significance of the year 2025 and expressed their intention to return and prepare for that time.
[1] Mandaeism (Classical Mandaic: mandaiia; Arabic: المندائيّة, romanized: al-Mandāʾiyya), sometimes also known as Nasoraeanism or Sabianism,[a] is a Gnostic, monotheistic and ethnic religion. Its adherents, the Mandaeans, revere Adam, Abel, Seth, Enos, Noah, Shem, Aram, and especially John the Baptist. Mandaeans consider Adam, Seth, Noah, Shem, and John the Baptist prophets, with Adam being the founder of the religion and John being the greatest and final prophet.