Re: Day of Covenant

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Posted by Robert Stauffer on December 02, 2000 at 02:14:48:

In Reply to: Day of Covenant posted by Farivar Sanei on December 01, 2000 at 06:32:07:

The Day of the Covenant is a Baha'i Holy Day held on November 26th annually which was created by 'Abdu'l-Baha at the request of Baha'is in America in the early part of the 1900's who wished to celebrate His birthday. Because 'Abdu'l-Baha was born on another Baha'i Holy day (Declaration of the Bab), He chose another date, November 26th. The Day of the Covenant is for celebration of the Covenant of God as represented by 'Abdu'l-Baha as the Appointed Successor, authorized Interpretor and Center of the Covenant of Baha'u'llah. The Day of the Covenant, unlike most Baha'i Holy Days, is not a day which Baha'is are prohibited from work or school. Neither is it obligatory to celebrate. In a Tablet written to the Baha'is of Nayris, Persia, 'Abdu'l-Baha wrote:

"...Work on the day of the Covenant...is not prohibited. Celebration of that day is left to the descretion of the friends. Its observation is not obligatory..." (Baha'i World, Vol. XIV, p 548)

Robert Stauffer

Note, Oct. 29 2006: this quotation was recently brought to my attention. From (Letters to Australia and New Zealand, p. 89) -J.W.

Haifa, Israel,
Jan. 21, -51
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand;

The beloved Guardian has instructed me to acknowledge on his behalf the Nov. issue of your Baha'i News. He is well pleased with it and commends you. He would like to call your attention to the statement on page 3, paragraph 3, under "Anniversaries and Festivals", and clarify it.

The Day of the Covenant Nov. 26th, and the Day of the Ascension, Nov. 28th, anniversaries of the birth and the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha must be observed by the friends coming together, but work is not prohibited. In other words the friends must regard observance of these two anniversaries as obligatory -- but suspension of work not to be regarded as obligatory.

He assures you of his deep interest in all your efforts and offers prayers on your behalf at the Holy Shrines.

With warmest love,
Sincerely yours,
Amelia Collins

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