Y CALENDAR)

"The Naw-Ruz Feast should be held on March 21 before sunset and has
nothing to do with the 19-day Feast. The 19-day Feast is administrative in
function whereas the Naw-Ruz is our New Year, a Feast of hospitality and
rejoicing."

76: NAW-RUZ, TIME OF CELEBRATION OF

"Regarding Naw-Ruz: If the vernal equinox falls on the 21st of March
before sunset, it is celebrated on that day. If at any time after sunset,
Naw-Ruz will then, as stated by Baha'u'llah, fall on the 22nd. As to which
spot should be regarded as the standard, this is a matter which the
Universal House of Justice will have to decided. The American NSA need not
therefore take any action in this matter at present."

77: FEAST (TIME FOR HOLDING)

"Regarding the time for the holding of the Nineteen-Day Feasts and
elections; the Guardian would advise your Assembly to urge the friends to
hold such gatherings on the prescribed day before sunset. If impossible,
then it is permissible to hold them on the preceding day. In connection
with the nine holy days, however, the friends should consider it
obligatory to celebrate them on the prescribed day before sunset."

78: FEASTS (ATTENDANCE AT)

"Attendance at 19-Day Feasts is not obligatory but very important, and
every believer should consider it a duty and a privilege to be present on
such occasions."

"He wishes the Baha'is to press for recognition of their right to observe
their own Holy Days, and to observe them whenever possible in strict
accordance with our teachings."

79: FEASTS AND ANNIVERSARIES--BAHA'I

"The Baha'i Day starts and ends at sunset, and consequently the date of
the celebration of Baha'i Feasts should be adjusted to conform to the
Baha'i Calendar Time..."

80: FUND (HOW EVERY BELIEVER CAN TEST THE MEASURE OF HIS FAITH)

"He wishes you particularly to impress the believers with the necessity of
maintaining the flow of their contributions to the Temple, and also to
stress the importance of the Institution of the National Baha'i Fund
which, in these early days of the administrative development of the Faith,
is the indispensable medium for the growth and expansion of the Movement.
Contributions to this fund constitute, in addition, a practical and
effective way whereby every believer can test the measure and character of
his Faith, and to prove in deeds the intensity of his devotion and
attachment to the Cause."

81: