Oak Bay Baha'i Activities
Our programs are open to the public, and are attended by people of all backgrounds, beliefs and faiths; of all races and cultures, without obligation. Programs are facilitated by trained volunteers. There are no fees, and no donations are solicited or accepted. These programs are a gift from the Baha'is of Oak Bay and Greater Victoria.
Devotional Gatherings in Oak Bay
Children's Classes--Strengthening Spiritual Aspirations
Children's classes form continuously as needed. Contact us to enrol your children.
Youth and Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Programs
There are several youth programs going on in the Greater Victoria region. Additional youth groups form continuously as needed. Contact us to enrol.
Baha'i Basics--This interactive class covers basic Baha'i teachings, the journey of the soul; life after death; prayer and meditation; social action; healing; parenting; marriage; conservation; sustainable agriculture; education; healing racism; dietary guidance and proofs of Baha'u'llah's authenticity. Its suitable for enquirers as well as new Baha'is. It can be done as a one-on-one "fireside", or in a group. It is facilitated in an informal format, that allows ample time for for questions and discussion. Contact Nancy to participate.
Study Circles --Putting spiritual insights into action
Holy Day Commemorations
Bahá’ís commemorate 11 holy days each year. These occasions are usually observed with community gatherings in large or small settings, with programs befitting the significance of the day. For information about Oak Bay Baha'i celebrations contact us. More information about the meaning of these holy days are HERE.
In 2019 these days are:
21 March: Naw Rúz, the Bahá’í New Year.
21 April: First Day of Ridván (meaning “Paradise” in Arabic) — the most important of the Bahá’í holy days. It is the day on which Bahá’u’lláh declared His mission as a Messenger of God.
29 April: Ninth Day of Ridván, the day on which Bahá’u’lláh’s family joined Him in the Garden of Ridván.
2 May: Twelfth Day of Ridván, the day on which Bahá’u’lláh and His family left the garden to travel to Constantinople.
24 May: Declaration of the Báb, the anniversary of the Báb’s announcement of His mission in 1844.
29 May: Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, marking the passing of Bahá’u’lláh in 1892.
10 July: Martyrdom of the Báb, Who was executed in 1850.
29 October: Birth of the Báb.
30 October: Birth of Bahá’u’lláh.
26 November: Day of the Covenant, commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of His son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the One to whom His followers should turn after His passing.
28 November: Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, marking the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1921
Note: The Bahá’í holy days are set and move according to a solar calendar commencing with the Spring Equinox. However the holy days marking the birth of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh are set and move according to a lunar calculation.
Bahá’ís suspend work on all but the last two of these holy days.
Other observances in 2019:
26 February- March 1: Ayyám-i-Há (also known as the Intercalary Days), a period of celebration devoted to charity, gift-giving and festivities prior to the annual period of fasting.
2–20 March: The month of fasting, during which Bahá’ís from the age of 15 abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset. There are exemptions, including for those who are ill, elderly, traveling, pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Alternate Tuesdays, 7:30 pm--Prayers and meditative readings. Contact Alaleh to RSVP and get directions.
- Wednesdays at 10-11:30 am--This group prays together and then studies The Divine Art of Living, by 'Abdu'l-Baha. Contact Nasrin to RSVP and get directions.
Children's Classes--Strengthening Spiritual Aspirations
Children's classes form continuously as needed. Contact us to enrol your children.
Youth and Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Programs
There are several youth programs going on in the Greater Victoria region. Additional youth groups form continuously as needed. Contact us to enrol.
Baha'i Basics--This interactive class covers basic Baha'i teachings, the journey of the soul; life after death; prayer and meditation; social action; healing; parenting; marriage; conservation; sustainable agriculture; education; healing racism; dietary guidance and proofs of Baha'u'llah's authenticity. Its suitable for enquirers as well as new Baha'is. It can be done as a one-on-one "fireside", or in a group. It is facilitated in an informal format, that allows ample time for for questions and discussion. Contact Nancy to participate.
Study Circles --Putting spiritual insights into action
- Reflections on the Life of the Spirit--This is the first in a sequence of eight courses that teach skills for contributing to the betterment of society. This course lays the spiritual foundations for the others. It shows how to draw spiritual sustenance from a personal practice of daily prayer and meditation. It also explores the purpose of life, the journey the soul, and life after death. This study circle is forming continuously as needed. Contact us to enrol in the next one. This course is the prerequisite for the others in the series.
- Learn more about the full sequence of courses, and the community-building results HERE.
Holy Day Commemorations
Bahá’ís commemorate 11 holy days each year. These occasions are usually observed with community gatherings in large or small settings, with programs befitting the significance of the day. For information about Oak Bay Baha'i celebrations contact us. More information about the meaning of these holy days are HERE.
In 2019 these days are:
21 March: Naw Rúz, the Bahá’í New Year.
21 April: First Day of Ridván (meaning “Paradise” in Arabic) — the most important of the Bahá’í holy days. It is the day on which Bahá’u’lláh declared His mission as a Messenger of God.
29 April: Ninth Day of Ridván, the day on which Bahá’u’lláh’s family joined Him in the Garden of Ridván.
2 May: Twelfth Day of Ridván, the day on which Bahá’u’lláh and His family left the garden to travel to Constantinople.
24 May: Declaration of the Báb, the anniversary of the Báb’s announcement of His mission in 1844.
29 May: Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, marking the passing of Bahá’u’lláh in 1892.
10 July: Martyrdom of the Báb, Who was executed in 1850.
29 October: Birth of the Báb.
30 October: Birth of Bahá’u’lláh.
26 November: Day of the Covenant, commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of His son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the One to whom His followers should turn after His passing.
28 November: Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, marking the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1921
Note: The Bahá’í holy days are set and move according to a solar calendar commencing with the Spring Equinox. However the holy days marking the birth of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh are set and move according to a lunar calculation.
Bahá’ís suspend work on all but the last two of these holy days.
Other observances in 2019:
26 February- March 1: Ayyám-i-Há (also known as the Intercalary Days), a period of celebration devoted to charity, gift-giving and festivities prior to the annual period of fasting.
2–20 March: The month of fasting, during which Bahá’ís from the age of 15 abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset. There are exemptions, including for those who are ill, elderly, traveling, pregnant or breastfeeding.