Festival of the Lord: Selections from “Days of Remembrance,” writings of Lord Bahá’u’lláh (vegetarian) for Bahá’i Holy Days, Part 1 of 2

Today it is an honor to present selections from “Days of Remembrance,” by Lord Bahá’u’lláh (vegetarian), “Riḍván,” which encourages remembrance and gratitude to GOD. The “Riḍván” is a joyous 12-Day festival commemorating when the Lord Bahá’u’lláh declared His Divine mission in the Riḍván garden in Baghdad in 1863.

Riḍván He it is Who is established upon this luminous Throne.

“Bid then the heavenly youths, who have been fashioned from the splendors of the All-Praised, to issue forth from their heavenly abode, decked in the attire of the All-Merciful, and to proffer with ruby fingers the chalice of immortality to the inmates of the highest Paradise among the companions of Bahá, that they may be drawn nigh unto the Splendor of the Lord of Grandeur—this shining and resplendent Beauty. All hail then to this, the Festival of the Lord, that has appeared above a dayspring of exalted glory! By GOD! This is the festival wherein the beauty of the Unknowable Essence has appeared unveiled and arrayed with such sovereignty as to lay low the necks of them that have repudiated His truth. All hail then to this, the Festival of the Lord, that has appeared with supreme dominion!

This is a festival wherein all things have been absolved by virtue of the appearance of Him Who is the Ancient King from behind the veil of names. Wherefore, rejoice in your hearts, O peoples of the world, for the breezes of forgiveness have been wafted over the entire creation and the spirit of life has been breathed into the world. All hail then to this, the Festival of the Lord, that has appeared above a dayspring of resplendent holiness! Beware lest ye transgress the bounds of courtesy and commit that which your minds and your hearts abhor. This is that whereunto ye were bidden by the Pen of GOD, the Almighty, the Most Powerful. All hail then to this, the Festival of the Lord, that has appeared above a horizon of wondrous grace! This is a festival wherein the Beauty of the Lord of Grandeur has been exalted above all things, and wherein He, unveiled and unconcealed, has proclaimed His will and purpose unto all that are in Heaven and on Earth. […]

Sanctify your souls from the world, O people, and hasten unto the Divine Lote-Tree in this furthermost sanctuary, that ye may hearken unto the voice of your Lord, the All-Merciful, calling from this Paradise […]”

He is the Most Holy, the Most Glorious.

“Praise be to Thee, O my GOD, that the dawn of Thy Riḍván Festival has broken, and that therein one who had sought Thy presence has attained his goal, O Thou our Lord, the Most Merciful! […]”