| The twelve-day festival commemorating
Bahá'u'lláh's Declaration of His mission to His companions and celebrated annually from 21 April through 2 May.† Bahá'u'lláh acclaimed
Riḍván as the 'Most Great Festival', the 'King of Festivals', the
'Festival of God' and has referred to it as the Day whereon 'the breezes
of forgiveness were wafted over the entire creation'.15 |
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| 'Of the exact circumstances attending that epoch-making Declaration we, alas, are but scantily informed. The words Bahá'u'lláh actually
uttered on that occasion, the manner of His Declaration, the reaction it
produced, its impact on MIrzá Yaḥyá, the identity of those who were
privileged to hear Him, are shrouded in an obscurity which future
historians will find it difficult to penetrate.'16 |
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| The first, ninth and twelfth days of Riḍván are celebrated as Holy
Days on which work is suspended. Local spiritual assemblies are
elected annually on the first day of Riḍván while national spiritual
assemblies are elected during the Riḍván period. The Universal House
of Justice is elected every five years during the Riḍván period. |
| [BD 196] |
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| † See also: |
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