Day of the Covenant

The Day of the Covenant is a Bahá’í holy day that is celebrated this year on Sunday, November 26, 2023. On this day, Bahá’ís across the globe celebrate the appointment of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Center of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh.  He was designated as the successor to lead the Faith after Bahá’u’lláh’s passing. In the Kitáb-i-‘Ahd (Book of the Covenant), Bahá’u’lláh specifically names ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to succeed Him, thereby securing the Faith from schism and disunity.

Early in His ministry, the Bahá’ís wanted to honor ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by celebrating His birthday. But ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was born on May 22, 1844, which is the same day when the Báb declared His mission to Mulla Husayn. This is the Declaration of the Báb, which is another holy day. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá did not want to cause confusion, and so He suggested instead that the believers honor Him as the Center of the Covenant in November of each year.

The Day of the Covenant is one of the holy days on which work is not required to be suspended. 

In one of His talks published in “The Promulgation of Universal Peace,“ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains the importance of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh: 

“As to the most great characteristic of the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, a specific teaching not given by any of the Prophets of the past: It is the ordination and appointment of the Center of the Covenant. By this appointment and provision He has safeguarded and protected the religion of God against differences and schisms, making it impossible for anyone to create a new sect or faction of belief. To ensure unity and agreement He has entered into a Covenant with all the people of the world, including the interpreter and explainer of His teachings, so that no one may interpret or explain the religion of God according to his own view or opinion and thus create a sect founded upon his individual understanding of the divine Words.”
Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 455-456.