The Sacred Assemblies of the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread 2025

The night before Christ suffered on the cross, He loved His children to the very end and bestowed upon them the truth that leads to life (Jn 13). That truth is the Passover—the feast of the new covenant—filled with His profound and sublime love.

On the evening of April 12 (the 14th day of the first month by the sacred calendar) and continuing on April 13 (the 15th day of the first month), the Sacred Assemblies of the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread, also known as the Festival of Affliction. were held consecutively in more than 7,800 Churches of God across 175 countries. Following the words of Heavenly Mother, delivered during the Annual General Assembly, encouraging all to earnestly proclaim the love of Christ contained in the Passover, members devoted themselves to preaching the gospel. They observed the feast in accordance with the teachings of the Bible, deeply reflecting on God’s love and the spirit of faith embodied in the festivals.

Sacred Assembly of the Passover: Blessing to Be Shared With All People of the World

The New Covenant Passover, established by Jesus, was abolished at the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325, 1,700 years ago. Yet, in accordance with biblical prophecy, Christ Ahnsahnghong, the Savior of the Age of the Holy Spirit, has restored this sacred truth (Heb 9:28; Isa 25:6–9). As a result, the Church of God now celebrates the Passover worldwide, just as Jesus and the apostles did.

At the Sacred Assembly of the Passover held at the The New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple, Heavenly Mother offered a heartfelt prayer of gratitude to God for granting the festival of life to all humanity, who had been destined to die. She earnestly prayed that the children, who received the promise of the forgiveness of sins and salvation through the Passover, would proclaim the gospel with hearts full of love, leading all people to eternal life and the kingdom of heaven.

In keeping with the example of Jesus, who washed His disciples’ feet before the Holy Supper (Jn 13:4–15), the Foot-Washing Ceremony was conducted prior to the Holy Supper. Mother humbly knelt and personally washed the feet of the members. All the members too washed one another’s feet, deeply inscribing in their hearts the humility and spirit of serving that God exemplified.

At 7 p.m., the Holy Supper Ceremony commenced. General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol emphasized the eternal significance of the Passover, stating: “The Passover is a crucial memorial commanded by God for all generations. It contains the precious promises of the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and the grace by which disasters pass over. Those who partake of God’s flesh and blood through the Passover are acknowledged as God’s children. The Passover, once lost, was restored by the Second Coming Christ, Ahnsahnghong, who granted us the authority to become children of God. Let us diligently lead people around the world to God so they, too, may receive this great blessing” (Mt26:17–19, 26–28; 1 Co 10:16–17; 2 Co 6:17–18; Jn 6:51–57).

With reverent hearts, the members ate the Passover bread and drank the wine, giving thanks for the boundless blessings promised by God. To those who received God’s flesh and blood through the Passover, Heavenly Mother repeatedly encouraged: “When we remember the precious love of Father, who gave His life on the cross to save His children, a sincere desire arises to save even one more soul. Let us live lives that bring joy to God by leading many people to salvation with hearts full of gratitude to Father.”

The Festival of Unleavened Bread: The Way of Christ That We Must Follow, Carrying the Cross

Jesus, who referred to the bread of the Passover Holy Supper as “My body, which is given for you,” and the wine as “My blood, which is shed for the forgiveness of your sins,” confirmed His boundless love by sacrificing His life on the cross the very next day. The Festival of Unleavened Bread is a sacred observance that commemorates Christ’s noble sacrifice and unconditional love, as He bore the pain and suffering to atone for the sins of humanity. In accordance with His words, “The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast” (Mt 9:15), this holy day is observed with fasting, allowing believers to share in the suffering of Christ and reflect deeply on His affliction.

Heavenly Mother offered a prayer of thanksgiving to Father for allowing His children, through this festival, to remember Christ’s sacrifice and to partake in His suffering. She earnestly prayed that those who have received the forgiveness of sins through His sacrifice would overcome all trials with mature faith and commit themselves wholeheartedly to the work of saving souls—God’s greatest desire.

General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol delivered a message on the attitude of faith that believers today must embody. He emphasized the importance of taking pride and honor in following the path of Jesus, who endured immense suffering on the cross, and drew attention to the inspiring history of the early Church, which triumphed over persecution with unwavering faith. He exhorted the members, saying:

“As we preach the gospel throughout the world, the spirit of the early Church must always accompany us. Let us firmly uphold the teaching, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me,’ and no matter what trials we face, let us overcome them by looking forward to the heavenly glory that awaits us. In doing so, let us fulfill our mission to proclaim the message of salvation to all people” (1 Pe 2:21–25, 4:13–16; Heb 11:35–40; Mt 16:24–26; Ro 8:16–18).

“Through this Passover, I came to truly understand how deeply God longs for and loves His children to be saved. Inspired by that heart, I want to care for my brothers and sisters and be a good example to them. I also hope to share the blessings of the Passover with many more people.” Karen Peruso, Huancayo, Peru

“This year marks the tenth Passover I have celebrated with my family. As the head of the household, being able to keep the Passover with my beloved family is an immense blessing. I am deeply grateful to God, who continually protects and watches over our family through the promise of the Passover.” Wildjoy Mata, Lisbon, Portugal

“In the past, when I faced difficulties, I often felt hopeless and unsure that things would ever improve. But after keeping the Passover and discovering my spiritual identity, I gained a positive mindset and renewed confidence. Even when I face challenges or make mistakes, I believe our Heavenly Parents will guide me safely. I’m committed to sharing the joyful message of the Passover with those around me.” Sandra Lee, Singapore

Members around the world gave heartfelt thanks, saying, “Behind the joy of salvation we now enjoy was the agony of death that God endured.” With renewed determination, they committed themselves to follow the path of Christ to the very end, leading many souls to heaven through His love and sacrifice.

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