��75th Anniversary Grand Service

On 27 January 2002, Konko Church of Izuo held splendidly the 75th Anniversary Grand Srvice of the Founder late Rev. Toshio Miyake's Missionary Work. Approx. 5000 believers gathered from around the country in order to express their appreciation to be given the belief by the Izuo Church. A lot of distinguished guests also attended from home and abroad reflecting the long-year interfaith cooperation and peace activities of the Church.

Weather also cerebrated
It had been forecasted to rain on the anniversary day because of unstable atmosphere condition, however, it became fine when believers arrived with more than 60 huge busses, even rainbow appeared as if the weather cerebrated the 75th year. Around the specially decorated precincts filled with believers, the commemorative monument (the height was 10 meters) fascinated everyone's attention.

�@ busses full of believers arrived one and another

The main worshipping hall (seating capacity of 2500) became full just after the noon, although the Grand Service would be opened at 13:30. Previous to the Service, Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister's Designated, gave a sermon aggressively. Those believers who could not find a room in the main hall prayed in the second hall watching TV live.

entrance of the hall was filled with believers

Solemn Anniversary Grand Service
The distinguished guests had a seat at 13:15 waiting opening of the ceremony at the sacred hall where an organ was being played solemnly.

Rev. Tatsuo Miyake and Rev. Mitsuo Miyake put fire to a candle together

At 13:30, 40 priests had a seat following the chief priest and the 75th Anniversary Grand Service was started to the traditional Japanese music (gagaku). After some functions, Rev. Mitsuo Miyake opened the sacred door of the altar. All the attendee could not help hanging their head in front of its solemnity.

attendee listening to the prayer

Perishables were offered from sea, field, and mountain to the altar and hymn was sung. The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of Izuo Church, put fire to a candle together with Rev. Mituso Miyake, the first son of the Chief Minister. Then all the attendees chanted the prayer leaded by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake to admire the late Rev. Toshio Miyake. Many of them were moved to tears.

the Chief Priest offered a sacred twig to the altar

The functions such as the Chief Priest's offering the sacred twig to the altar were all proceeded smoothly, and representatives of 130 distinguished guests offered a sacred twig to the altar. The representatives were the Most Rev. Sukemasa Konko, the Principal of the Konko family, the Most Rev. Takeyasu Miyamoto, President of Myochi-kai, the Most Ven. Eko Kiyohara, Superintendent of Enryaku-ji Temple at Mt. Hiei, Seiichi Cardinal Shirayanagi, Dr. William Vendly, Secretary General of World Conference of Religion and Peace (WCRP), the Most Ven. Masahiko Iburi, Superintendent of Tenri-kyo, the Most Rev. Mitsuhiro Fukata, Patriarch of Enno-kyo, the Most Ven. Eiki Ikeda, Chair of World Federalist Movement (WFM) Japan Religionous Committee, the most Rev. Takeshi Nishida, President of Itto-en. The Very Rev. Takeno Kondo, Senior Chief Minister of Konko Church of Namba, and the Very Rev. Michiyoshi Yasutake, Senior Chief Minister of Konko Church of Amagi, followed on behalf of other Konko Churches. In the end of the service, four believers also offered a sacred twig to the altar and Adoration Prayer was chanted.

service was relayed at the second hall

Commemorative Ceremony and Senior Chief Minister's Sermon
After the service, the 75th anniversary ceremony was opened. Four distinguished guests delivered congratulatory address to praise Izuo Church's every effort for the world peace, interfaith cooperation, and relief activities. The speakers were the Most Rev. Takeyasu Miyamoto, President of Myochi-kai, the Most Ven. Eko Kiyohara, Superintendent of Enryaku-ji Temple at Mt. Hiei, Seiichi Cardinal Shirayanagi, Dr. W. Vendly, Secretary General of WCRP.

distinguished guests who offered a sacred twig

Then among a lot of congratulatory telegrams, ones from Francis Cardinal Arinze of Vatican and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi were read out.

�@many guests attended from every sector

The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake delivered a sermon, and the third collection of the late Rev. Toshio Miyake's sermons, which was published to commemorate the 75th anniversary, was presented to all the attendees.

Rev. Tatsuo Miyake delivered a sermon

Commemorative Banquet at a Hotel
Commemorative Banquet was held in the evening at RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka with 170 attendees. First of all, the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake expressed his appreciation to the distinguished guests, followed by congratulatory messages offered by the Most Rev. Masahiko Iburi, the Most Rev. Mitsuhiro Fukata, and Rev. Norio Sakai on behalf of the Most Rev. Nichiko Niwano, President of Rissho Kosei-kai. Then traditional dance was performed by Maiko dancers from Kyoto.

Senior Chief Minister gave an opening address

Seven representatives, the Most Ven. Eiki Ikeda, the Very Rev. Takeshi Nishida, the Very Rev. Mitsuyoshi Tateuchi, Chief Priest of Kamigamo Jinjya Shrine, the Very Rev. Yasumi Hirose, on behalf of the Patriarch of Omoto, the Most Rev. Toyohiro Tazawa, Patriarch of Shoroku Shinto Yamato-yama, Mr. Shizuka Kamei, a member of House of Representatives, and Dr, Johanness Preisinger, Consul General of Germany to Osaka, broke to open a cover of sake butt as traditional cerebration performance. Senior Chief Minister's three sons, Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, and Rev, Osamu Miyake, were invited to the stage when Dr. Chisato Uesugi, Chair of executives of Kogakukan University, made toast and admired Miyake family.

Ms. Rieko Minami served as a MC, Mr. Shizuka Kamei, a dominant figure of leading party (LDP), and Mr. Kansei Nakano, Vice President of the largest opposition party of the Diet, gave a congratulatory address. Dr, Hidenobu Hiraoka, Chair of executives of Seifu Gakuen School, Mr. Takuji Yanagimoto, a member of House of Representatives, and Dr. James Aruptharaj, an Executive of the World Federalist Movement (WFM) also delivered an address. Rev. M.P. Shabbir Naqshbandi, President of the All India Religious Leaders Association and five companies from India offered a present unexpectedly to the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake and invite him to India.

At the end of the banquet, the Very Rev. Tsunekiyo Tanaka, Chief Priest of Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine, gave three cheers and Rev. Misuo Miyake expresses appreciation to all the attendees.