ear) and Ridvan, the Anniversaries of the
Birth of the Bab and Baha'u'llah, and of the Bab's Declaration (which is
also the birthday of 'Abdu'l-Baha) are the great joy-days of the year for
Baha'is. In Persia they are celebrated by picnics or festal gatherings at
which music, the chanting of verses and tablets, and short addresses
suitable to the occasion are contributed by those present. The intercalary
days between the eighteenth and nineteenth months (that is, February 26 to
March 1 inclusive) are specially devoted to hospitality to friends, the
giving of presents, ministering to the poor and sick, et cetera.

The anniversaries of the martyrdom of the Bab and the departure of
Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha are celebrated with solemnity by appropriate
meetings and discourses, the chanting of prayers and Tablets.

Fast

The nineteenth month, following immediately on the hospitality of the
intercalary days, is the month of the fast. During nineteen days the fast
is observed by abstaining from both food and drink from sunrise to sunset.
As the month of the fast ends at the March equinox, the fast always falls
in the same season, namely, spring in the Northern, and autumn in the
Southern, Hemisphere; never in the extreme heart of summer nor in the
extreme cold of winter, when hardship would be likely to result. At that
season, moreover, the interval between sunrise and sunset is approximately
the same all over the habitable portion of the globe, namely, from about 6
A.M. to 6 P.M. The fast is not binding on children and invalids, on
travelers, or on those who are too old or too weak (including women who
are with child or have babes at the breast).

There is much evidence to show that a periodical fast such as is enjoined
by the Baha'i teachings is beneficial as a measure of physical hygiene,
but just as the reality of the Baha'i fast does not lie in the consumption
of physical food, but in the commemoration of God, which is our spiritual
food, so the reality of the Baha'i fast does not consist in abstention
from physical food, although that may help in the purification of the
body, but in the abstention from the desires and lusts of the flesh, and
in severance from all save God. 'Abdu'l-Baha says:--

Fasting is a symbol. Fasting signifies abstinence from lust.
Physical fasting is a symbol of that abstinence, and is a
reminder; that is, just as a person abstains from physical
appetites, he is to