IN PERSON Observance ~ Baháí Holy Day in St. Petersburg~ Martyrdom of the Báb

The Bahá'í community of St. Petersburg will host an observance of the Holy Day, the Martyrdom of the Báb, at the St. Petersburg Bahá'í Center

Date: July 9, 2025, Wednesday
Time: Doors open at 11:30 AM, Program to start at 12:00 PM
Location: Bahá'í Center of St. Petersburg
676 2nd Ave South in St. Petersburg, Florida 33701

“O wayward generation!” were the last words of the Báb to the gazing multitude, as the regiment prepared to fire its volley, “Had you believed in Me every one of you would have followed the example of this youth, who stood in rank above most of you, and would have willingly sacrificed himself in My path. The day will come when you will have recognized Me; that day I shall have ceased to be with you.”

Several years before Bahá'u'lláh, the prophet founder of the Bahá'í Faith, proclaimed His mission, God sent a special messenger to announce His coming. This great Messenger took the title "the Báb" which means “the Gate”. He was indeed a gate to the knowledge of God and to a new era in human existence. For six years He taught ceaselessly that the appearance of the new Manifestation of God was near and prepared the way for His coming. He told the people that they were witnessing the dawn of a new age, the dawn of the Promised Day of God. He called upon them to purify their hearts from earthly vanities so that they could recognize Him Whom God would soon manifest.

Thousands upon thousands of people accepted the Message of the Báb and began to follow His Teachings. But the government of Persia and the powerful clergy who ruled over the masses rose against Him. His followers were persecuted and large numbers were put to death. The Báb Himself was martyred at the age of 31 in 1850 by a regiment of soldiers who, at the orders of the government, suspended Him and His companion in a public square and opened fire on Him.