Guest Author - Sandy Mullins

April 21, the First Day of Ridvan (Paradise) starting at about 3 P.M. is a very special time for Baha段s all over the world. It is the celebration of the Declaration of Baha置値lah痴 mission on the eve of His departure from Baghdad for Constantinople in 1863. It is also a time when Baha段s all over the world elect their Local and National Spiritual Assemblies (LSA痴) and (NSA痴).

Many years later, Baha置値lah designated that the Festival of Ridvan as "the Most Great Festival". During the Festival of Ridvan, Baha段s celebrate three Holy Days when all work is suspended. These days are the First Day of Ridvan, the Ninth Day of Ridvan and the Twelfth Day of Ridvan.

Ridvan festivities are special celebrations that all Baha段s hold fond memories of. I am sure of this because I know I do.

I hope you all have a joyful Ridvan.

Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths. Take heed that ye do not vacillate in your determination to embrace the truth of this Cause -- a Cause through which the potentialities of the might of God have been revealed, and His sovereignty established. With faces beaming with joy, hasten ye unto Him. This is the changeless Faith of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future. Let him that seeketh, attain it; and as to him that hath refused to seek it -- verily, God is Self-Sufficient, above any need of His creatures.
(Baha'u'llah, The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, p. 118)

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Baha段 Holy Days

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