Forthcoming Holy Days
8 May 2021
12 Jamál 178 B.E.
Contents:
– Forthcoming Holy Days
– New volume of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s writings released
– Amid devastating cyclone, first National Spiritual Assembly elected in Timor-Leste
– Croatia’s First Bahá’í National Spiritual Assembly established in landmark election
GC-35646
Download as PDF
To all believers in the United Kingdom
Dearly loved Friends,
In the coming days, we will be commemorating two Bahá’í Holy Days. The first, the Declaration of the Báb, marks the birth of His Dispensation in 1844. The second, the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh marks the culmination of the Blessed Beauty’s earthly life in 1892.
The Declaration of the Báb
The Holy Day of the Declaration of the Báb spans from sunset on 22 May to sunset on 23 May (8 ‘Azamat). If feasible, it should be celebrated at about two hours after sunset on Saturday 22 May. It was at this moment in 1844 that the Báb, in conversation with Mullá Husayn in the upper chamber of His house in Shíráz, announced His mission.
And from the source of God’s inscrutable decree the Tongue of the Unseen proclaimed: “By God! The like of this Youth the eyes of the former generations have never beheld.” Rejoice! This is the immortal Youth, come with a mighty cause.
Bahá’u’lláh, Days of Remembrance, No.27
The Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh
The Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh should be commemorated, if feasible, at 4:00 AM (British Summer Time) on Friday 28 May, with the Holy Day spanning from sunset on 27 May to sunset on 28 May (13 ‘Azamat). This Holy Day is an occasion to reflect on the Blessed Beauty’s glorious Mission and His Covenant, as well as on the many trials and tribulations He endured.
…The wrongs which I suffer have blotted out the wrongs suffered by My First Name [The Báb] from the Tablet of creation. The clouds of divine decree have at every moment rained down upon this manifest Beauty the showers of tribulation. My banishment from My homeland was for the sake of none but the Beloved; My exile was in no other path save that of His good-pleasure. In the midst of heaven-sent trials I glowed bright as a candle, and in the face of divinely ordained afflictions I stood as firm as a mountain. In manifesting the outpourings of His grace I was even as a bounteous cloud, and in laying hold on the foes of the peerless King I was even as a burning flame.
Bahá’u’lláh, Days of Remembrance, No.31
As is befitting these sacred Holy Days, work should be suspended, and if possible, children should be excused from schoolwork. It is hoped that the friends will find creative ways to mark these commemorations, offering prayers and thanksgiving – and inviting friends of the Faith as appropriate – for the gift of these divine Messengers.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Patrick O’Mara,
Secretary
