Vicksburg’s Baha’i Spiritual Assembly is a small group tapped into a large, worldwide, growing group of believers.

If you go

Services of Vicksburg’s Baha’i Spiritual Assembly include a devotional at 11 a.m. each Sunday, followed by Scriptural Deepening at 11:30. For information, call 601-415-5360.

The Baha’i Faith is the youngest independent monotheistic religion in the world. With about 5 million members in 236 countries, the faith stresses the oneness of mankind and the need for a global society.

Members of Baha’i assemblies will, beginning Monday, observe a period of fasting and holy days. Fasting observances include not eating or drinking anything from sunrise to sunset each day for those younger than 65.

“The fast is to make us think about our relationship with God,” said John W. Smith, secretary of Vicksburg’s Baha’i assembly. “It’s a time of deprivation so we can become closer to him.”

The 19-day fast culminates March 21, astronomically the spring equinox and the start of the Baha’i new year. Called Naw-Ruz, the day is set aside as a holy day when no work is to be done.

Another period of celebration, the Festival of Ridvan, will follow from April 21 to May 2. The festival celebrates the public revelation of Baha’u’llah, the founder of Baha’i, as God’s latest messenger or prophet to mankind. Within the period, April 21, April 29 and May 2 are observed as holy days.

Vicksburg’s Baha’i Spiritual Assembly includes 13 active members who meet on all church holy days. They gather in members’ homes each Sunday morning for a devotional. Members are also always encouraged to pray, practice high ethical behavior and serve mankind.

Baha’i congregations do not have regular clergy. Local assemblies elect delegates to attend the national spiritual assembly, Smith said, where nine individuals are chosen to oversee the spiritual direction within the United States, which has an estimated 150,000 Baha’is. Internationally, the Baha’i Faith is governed by a nine-member Universal House of Justice.

The spiritual education of children is an important tenet of the faith, and Baha’i members hold youth empowerment meetings once and sometimes twice a month, Smith said.

In Mississippi, there are three official Baha’i assemblies — in Hinds County, Jackson and Vicksburg.

Baha’is believe that all world religions are connected, unified and progressive — that God has manifested himself through different messengers or prophets as history has unfolded, Smith said.

These have included Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad. The latest was Baha’u’llah who, in 1844, founded the Baha’i Faith.

The progression of manifestations will go on forever, Smith said. “We don’t believe there will be one last one. Man forgets and needs to be reminded.”

While the faith was founded in Iran, the country has become a place of persecution and torture for Baha’is, Smith said.

A House bill, No. H-175, has been filed to condemn the persecution.

“We are asking everyone to call their congressmen in Washington, D.C., and ask them to support that resolution,” Smith said.

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Contact Pamela Hitchins at phitchins@vicksburgpost.com.