The Day of the Covenant

 The Day of the Covenant is a Baha’i holy day honoring the Covenant of Baha’u’llah and, in particular, ‘Abdu’l-Baha (1844–1921) as the “Centre of the Covenant.” …the Covenant established by Baha’u’llah protects the Baha’i religion from schism. In anticipation of his eventual passing, Baha’u’llah called on all Baha’is to turn to ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Baha’u’llah’s eldest son) as successor (inerrant leader of the Baha’i community), interpreter (authorized exponent of Baha’u’llah’s teachings), and exemplar (perfect embodiment of Baha’i virtues and morality). This triple function has been as powerful in its influence on the future course and fortunes of the Baha’i community as ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s station is conceptually and functionally distinctive, and remains so.

… On the Day of the Covenant, Baha’is honor ‘Abdu’l-Baha as the “Perfect Exemplar” of Baha’u’llah’s teachings and as the “Centre of the Covenant” of Baha’u’llah, paying tribute to that sacred Covenant, which historically safeguarded and will continue to preserve the unity of the Baha’ı faith-community for centuries to come.