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. You are welcome! 


Devotional Gatherings in Oak Bay
  • 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. 
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In 2020-21 the commemorations are: 

Feast Days (every 19 days, each local community gathers for prayers, community consultation and fellowship)

Bahá (Splendour) 1 Bahá 20 March 2020 
Jalál (Glory) 1 Jalál 8 April 
Jamál (Beauty) 1 Jamál 27 April 
'Azamat (Grandeur) 1 'Azamat 16 May 
Núr (Light) 1 Núr 4 June 
Rahmat (Mercy) 1 Rahmat 23 June 
Kalimát (Words) 1 Kalimát 12 July 
Kamal (Perfection) 1 Kamal 31 July 
Asmá' (Names) 1 Asmá' 19 August 
'Izzat (Might) 1 'Izzat 7 September 
Mashiyyat (Will) 1 Mashiyyat 26 September 
'Ilm (Knowledge) 1 'Ilm 15 October 
​Qudrat (Power) 1 Qudrat 3 November Qawl (Speech) 1 Qawl 22 November 
Masá'il (Questions) 1 Masá'il 11 December 
Sharaf (Honour) 1 Sharaf 30 December 
Sultán (Sovereignty) 1 Sultán 18 January 2021 
Mulk (Dominion) 1 Mulk 6 February
'Alá' (Loftiness) 1 'Alá' 1 March 

Holy Days 

Naw-Rúz 1 Bahá 20 March 2020 
First Day of Ridván 13 Jalál 20 April [at about 3:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. DST)] 
Ninth Day of Ridván 2 Jamál 28 April 
Twelfth Day of Ridván 5 Jamál 1 May 
Declaration of the Báb 8 'Azamat 23 May [22 May at about 2 hours after sunset] 
Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh 13 'Azamat 28 May [at 3:00 a.m. (4:00 a.m. DST)] 
Martyrdom of the Báb 17 Rahmat 9 July [at about noon (1:00 p.m. DST)] 
Birth of the Báb 4 'Ilm 18 October 
Birth of Bahá'u'lláh 5 'Ilm 19 October 
Day of the Covenant 4 Qawl 25 November 
Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá 6 Qawl 27 November [at 1:00 a.m.] 

Other Observances Ayyám-i-Há  February 25 to 28, 2021. Ayyám-i-Há (also known as the Intercalary Days), is a period of celebration devoted to charity, gift-giving and festivities prior to the annual period of fasting. 
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Month of Fasting, March 1-19, 2021. This is a 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.
Note: The Bahá’í day ends and a new one begins at sunset; consequently, the day on which a Feast or Holy Day is observed begins at sunset of the day before the Gregorian calendar dates given above. In 178 B.E., Naw-Rúz will correspond with 20 March 2021.

Bahá’ís suspend work on all but the last two of these holy days.