Community life

Ways to Explore

Open to everyone regardless of background, these activities form the foundation of community life. All are welcome.

“Make mention of Me on My earth, that in My heaven I may remember thee.”

— Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words

Community members gathered for devotional prayers

Weekly gatherings

Devotional Gatherings

Friends gather in someone’s home to share prayers, readings, and music, often drawing from the Bahá’í Writings. Most groups meet weekly or monthly, offering a quiet way to step out of the rush of daily life and reflect together. Anyone is welcome to come along, listen, or bring a prayer to share.

Area Teaching Committee

Behrouz Tavangar

PhillyAreaATC@gmail.com

Get in touch to join

“Knowledge is as wings to man’s life, and a ladder for his ascent.”

— Bahá’u’lláh

A small group studying the Bahá’í Writings together

Ongoing

Study Circles

Small groups of friends or neighbors meet regularly, often in someone’s home, to read passages from the Bahá’í Writings and talk about what they mean for everyday life. The conversations are open and friendly. Many people go on to host their own devotionals, teach children’s classes, or start service projects in their neighborhood.

Cluster Institute Coordinator

Jiaan Mansuri

jmansuri@icloud.com

Learn more at Northeast RTI Use our contact form

“Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value.”

— Bahá’u’lláh

Junior youth group members working together

Ages 12–15

Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program

A weekly group for young people ages 12 to 15, led by a slightly older mentor called an animator. Together they read, talk through questions about identity and purpose, take on small service projects in the neighborhood, and spend time as friends. The aim is to help young people see their own potential and grow into adults who serve their family, neighbors, and community.

Cluster Institute Coordinator

Tara Anand

tara.v.anand@gmail.com

Learn more at Northeast RTI Use our contact form

“Every child is potentially the light of the world.”

— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Children participating in a spiritual education class

Ages 5–11

Children’s Classes

Free classes open to every child in the neighborhood, ages 5 to 11. Through stories, songs, art, games, and prayer, children learn qualities like kindness, honesty, and a sense of fairness. Teachers are local volunteers, often youth or young parents from the community. Classes usually meet weekly for an hour or two.

Cluster Institute Coordinator

Tara Anand

tara.v.anand@gmail.com

Learn more at Northeast RTI Contact us to find a class

Sacred occasions

Holy Days

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The Bahá’í Holy Days include events related to the birth, declaration, and passing of both Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb. Their observance has both a personal dimension, providing a time for reflection on the significance of these events, and a social dimension, helping to deepen the identity and foster the cohesion of the community. The two “Most Great Festivals” are the Festival of Ridván, commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration of His mission, and the Declaration of the Báb. Also observed are Naw-Rúz (the Bahá’í New Year), the Twin Birthdays of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, and days marking the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the Martyrdom of the Báb, and others. Work is suspended on nine Holy Days.

Naw-Rúz

21 March 2026

Bahá’í New Year

First Day of Ridván

21 April 2026

Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration of His mission

Ninth Day of Ridván

29 April 2026

Bahá’u’lláh’s family joined Him in the Garden

Twelfth Day of Ridván

2 May 2026

Departure from the Garden of Ridván

Declaration of the Báb

24 May 2026

The Báb’s declaration of His mission

Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh

29 May 2026

Passing of Bahá’u’lláh

Martyrdom of the Báb

10 July 2026

Martyrdom of the Báb

Birth of the Báb

10 November 2026

Birthday of the Báb (date varies)

Birth of Bahá’u’lláh

11 November 2026

Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh (date varies)

Day of the Covenant

26 November 2026

Appointment of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as Center of the Covenant

Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

28 November 2026

Passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Young people

Youth

Youth have played a vital role in Bahá’í history. The Báb Himself declared His mission when He was but twenty-five years old, and so many among His early followers were in the prime of their youth. Thousands of young Bahá’ís have arisen in each generation to respond to the call of Bahá’u’lláh, encouraged to draw on the zeal and enthusiasm characteristic of the period of youth and so make decisive contributions to the advancement of spiritual and material civilization. In selfless service to society lies the possibility for both personal growth and an enhanced capacity to contribute to social progress.

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More ways to participate

Other Activities

Home Visits

Conceived as a means for exposing believers to the fundamentals of the Faith, home visits are giving rise to an array of deepening efforts, both individual and collective, in which the friends are delving into the Writings and exploring their implications for their lives. Even an act of service as simple as visiting the home of a new believer reinforces ties of fellowship that bind the members of the community together.

Firesides

Whether in the form of firesides or study circles, individual efforts to share the Faith are on the increase. Equipped with skills and methods, effective and accessible to all, the friends are entering into closer association with people of many walks of life, engaging them in earnest conversation on themes of spiritual import. Firesides attract a growing number of seekers who are eager to explore the Bahá’í teachings and join in the life of the community.

Volunteer Day

First Saturday of each month

On the first Saturday of each month, community members come together at the Bahá’í Center for a morning of volunteer service. Whether it’s tidying the grounds, organizing the library, or working on a community project — all are welcome to join.

Conferences

Information about upcoming conferences and gatherings will be shared here.

Interested in joining us?

Whether you’re exploring the Bahá’í Faith for the first time or looking for a community to call home, we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch View events