What’s Happening in October? 200th Anniversary Celebrations

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Baha’u’llah. The anniversary will be celebrated around the world on October 20 and 21. Baha’i communities everywhere will be hosting celebrations for their local areas.

Two days are being celebrated is that the Baha’i Faith has two founding messengers (or manifestations) of God. The Bab and Bahá’u’lláh – and their birthdays are celebrated on successive days each year.

The Bab, was the prophet-herald of the Baha’i Faith. The Bab prepared his followers for another prophet who would follow him – much in the way John the Baptist prepared people of his time for the coming of Jesus.

Bahá’u’lláh was that prophet, and the founder of the Baha’i Faith. His mission started in 1852. It continued through 40 years of exile and imprisonment. We have been exploring Bahá’u’lláh’s life and writings in this series of articles, as well as looking at the transformation of individual lives and community life to which it gives rise.

As will be obvious from a reading of Bahá’u’lláh’s writings, his teachings are meant for everyone.

The summons and the message which We gave were never intended to reach or to benefit one land or one people only.[1]

Oh, how I long to announce unto every spot on the surface of the earth, and to carry to each one of its cities, the glad-tidings of this Revelation.[2]

The celebrations are everyone’s celebration.

Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. … So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. … [2]

(This article is the 119th in a series of what I hope will be 200 articles in 200 days for the 200th anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh. The anniversary is being celebrated around the world on 21 and 22 October 2017, The articles are simply my personal reflections on Bahá’u’lláh’s life and work. Any errors or inadequacies in these articles are solely my responsibility.)

Image Credits: 200th Anniversary Logos by Joe Paczkowski