At this season we reflect on the spiritual significance of thanksgiving with the following words of Abdu’l-Baha, son of Baha’u’llah, Founder of the Baha'i Faith. Abdu'l-Baha shared these thoughts when He visited the United States in 1912.

The next holy day event at the Baha'i House of Worship will be held at 1 a.m. Friday, Nov. 28, with a special devotional program commemorating the Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha, who died at his home in Haifa, Israel, at approximately 1 a.m. on Nov. 29, 1921, at age 77.   

Baha'is in the area surrounding the House of Worship came together last night for a special devotional program to celebrate the Day of the Covenant, which commemorates Baha’u’llah’s appointment of His eldest son, Abdu’l-Baha, as the protector of the Covenant of Baha’u’llah.  

On Oct. 20, Baha’is around the world celebrate the Birth of the Bab, one of 11 Holy Days in the Baha'i calendar. (Baha'i days begin at sunset so celebrations may begin the evening of Oct 19.)

"His life is one of the most magnificent examples of courage which it has been the privilege of mankind to behold,” French writer A.L.M. Nicolas said of the Báb (“gate” in Arabic).

What makes the Festival of Ridvan, celebrated April 21 to May 2, the holiest of days for Baha'is? It commemorates the anniversary of Baha’u’llah’s declaration in 1863 that He was the Promised One of all earlier religions.

For Baha’is, the New Year comes at a perfect time – March 21 --the vernal equinox, which marks the first day of spring and the end of the Baha'i Faith’s annual Nineteen Day Fast.

Marta Gomez, a Baha'i in Irmo, S.C., started out making a simple calendar to put on the refrigerator so her daughters, Alma, 9, and Maya, 5, could keep track of days in Baha'i and Gregorian time. But the project grew in scope and intricacy, and by the time she was done, Ms. Gomez had created an elaborate 30-inch-by-30-inch work of art in watercolor and ink.

When the sun rises on Sunday, March 2, Baha’is throughout the world will have taken their last bite of breakfast and their last sip of water for the day.

From sunset Feb. 25 to sunset March 1, Baha’is will be exchanging gifts, getting together with friends and family, and engaging in acts of charity – activities that characterize the festival of Ayyam-i-Ha.