Twin Holy Birthdays

The Festivals of the Twin Birthdays refers to two successive holy days in the Bahá╩╝í calendar that celebrate the births of two central figures of the Bahá╩╝í Faith: the birth of the Báb the Birth of Bahá╩╝u'lláh.

Why is it important?

The Bahá╩╝í Faith is a relatively new religion teaching the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people. Established by Bahá╩╝u'lláh in the 19th century, it initially developed in Iran and parts of the Middle East, where it has faced ongoing persecution since its inception.

The notion of "twin Manifestations of God" is a concept fundamental to Bahá'í belief, describing the relationship between the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh. Both are considered Manifestations of God in their own right, having each founded separate religions (Bábism and the Bahá'í Faith) and revealed their own holy scriptures.

To Bahá'ís, however, the missions of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh are inextricably linked.

Significance

The Báb

The Báb's mission was to prepare the way for the coming of Him whom God shall make manifest, who eventually appeared in the person of Bahá'u'lláh. Baha'is believe that the Báb, whose title means "the gate," opened the way for the advent of a new age of fulfillment and maturation for all humanity. The Bab's primary mission—to herald the arrival of a divinely-inspired spiritual educator he referred to as "He Whom God shall make manifest"—would pave the way for the coming of a new messenger of God. Like John the Baptist, the Báb instructed his hopeful followers to prepare for the appearance of that new prophet.

Baha'u'llah

Baha'is see the appearance of Baha'u'llah as the return of the spiritual springtime, revivifying the souls and establishing a new Faith, a new reality and a new spiritual oneness among all humanity.

Born and raised in the capital city of Persia, Tehran, Baha'u'llah grew up as the son of a government minister and nobleman. But rather than pursuing his father's career, early in his adulthood Baha'u'llah turned his attention to a life of service to the poor and needy. He sought no position or prominence, and as a young man accepted the religion of the Bab—which subjected Baha'u'llah and his family to terrible privation, persecution and imprisonment.

source: Wikipedia.org

Kitáb-i-Aqdas

(Persian: ┌®Ï¬ÏºÏ¿ Ϻ┘éÏ»Ï│)

is the central religious text of the Bahá╩╝í Faith written by Bahá╩╝u'lláh, the founder of the religion, in 1873. Bahá╩╝u'lláh wrote that his birthday and that of the Báb "are accounted as one in the sight of God".

"The Most Holy Book"

Rather than a narrative, al-Kit─üb al-Aqdas is written as a series of short teachings or principles. Main themes cover the appointment of Bahá╩╝u'lláh's successor, the layout of the future Bahá╩╝í administration, certain laws around prayer, fasting, marriage, divorce, and inheritance; admonitions toward certain individuals; and a variety of ordinances, and prohibitions.

Baha'u'llah asked the Baha'is to celebrate feasts of unity, joy and commemoration on each of these two special days

Baha'is observe two major holiday seasons during each year, one in the spring and the other in the fall. For those who live in the world's Northern Hemisphere, the declarations of Baha'u'llah and the Báb occur during springtime, in April and May. For those who live in the Southern Hemisphere, the birthdays of the Báb and Baha'u'llah occur in the spring, during October or November.

Symbolically, then, these holy days represent a true first—the very first time the entire planet has had the opportunity to join together in unity and commemorate its holiest days as the world renews itself.

Union of all religions

Just as the Baha'i teachings reconcile and unite the religions, so too do they unite and reconcile the world's calendars, adapting the lunar and solar observances into one.

Everyone is welcome

At the worldwide Baha'i gatherings for the birth of the Báb today, and the birth of Baha'u'llah tomorrow, happiness and celebration will prevail. Smiles will proliferate, music will play, friends will come together, children will laugh, warm fellowship will fill the air—and refreshments will definitely be served.