House of Worship Home Page
The Visitors Center and bookstore are open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily. The upstairs auditorium (prayer hall) remains open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day.

Devotional Programs--Held daily in the auditorium at 9:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. 
These brief programs consist of readings from the Baha'i sacred texts and scriptures of other world religions. No talks or sermons are delivered, and no elaborate ceremonies practiced. Since the Baha'i Faith has no clergy, no one person leads devotional programs. Instead, invited readers, who may be adherents of any religion, recite or chant the holy scriptures. Sunday programs sometimes feature music from the House of Worship Choir and chanting in various languages. Only music based on words of holy scripture and sung a cappella by a choir or soloists is used in the auditorium; recorded and instrumental music are not permitted there. 
 
Introductory Talk on the Baha'i Faith
Introductory talks on the Bahá’í Faith are held every Sunday in the Visitors Center of the Bahá’í House of Worship.  The talks commence at 1:00, immediately after the 12:30 devotional program in the Temple’s auditorium. All are welcome to attend. Call: 847-853-2300 for further information.
There will be no talks on the following dates in May: 1st, 22nd and 29th.
 
Prayers in Spanish are offered on the first Sunday of each month at 2:30 p.m.

There are 11 holy days in the Baha'i calendar. Upcoming Holy Day commemorations and other events at the House of Worship:

Festival of Ridván
The Festival of Ridván (Riz-vahn,  meaning “Paradise”), celebrated from April 21st  May 2nd, commemorates the anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration in 1863 that He was the Promised One of all earlier religions.  His declaration was made in a beautiful rose-filled garden called ‘Ridván” in the city of Baghdad, Irag, where he was exiled. During these twelve days, Bahá’u’lláh and His family prepared for Their next place of exile, Constantinople, and consoled Their well wishers and loved ones who were lamenting Their departure.  Bahá’ís suspend work on the 1st, 9th and 12th days of the Festival.
 
9th Day of Ridván April 28th
8.30 p.m. Devotions in the Auditorium
Friday April 29th 6.30 a.m. Dawn Prayers in the Auditorium
 
12th Day of Ridván April May 1st
7.30 p.m. Program with the Music Director Van Gilmer in Foundation Hall
8.15 p.m. Refreshments in the Visitors Center
8.45 p.m. Devotions in the Auditorium

 
Anniversary of the Declaration of The Báb May 23rd
Celebration of the date in 1844 that the Bab - Prophet-Herald of the Bahai Faith - announced His mission in Iran, then called Persia.
8:30 p.m. Refreshments
9.15 p.m. Program
10:22 p.m. Devotions
Monday, May 23
6:30 p.m. Dawn Devotions
 
Anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh May 29th
Commemoration of the date in 1992 that Bahá’u’lláh - Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í - passed away while in exile in Israel, then Palestine.
3:15 a.m. Refreshments
4:00 a.m. Devotions
6:30 a.m. Dawn Devotions
 
Details of the following Holy Day has yet to be decided please check the Bahá’í House of Worship Web site nearer the date.
Anniversary of the Martyrdom of The Báb July 9th
For more information, please call the House of Worship at 847-853-2300. 

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