Pilgrimage People

Fellow pilgrims have a relationship that is unique among all the possible relationships one can have in life. In a sense, they are one, united as a matter of fact by their representing a cross section of humanity--professed Baha'is or not--paying their respects at the Threshold of the Beloved of all hearts.

The fact that pilgrims arrive from all over the world, immediately undergo a brief orientation, and then proceed to operate simultaneously on a highly practical level and an intensely spiritual level, is something that I came to appreciate and admire highly. These two seemingly dissonant elements--the practical and the spiritual--are in reality complements that cannot be divorced. Abdu'l-Baha didn't just pray at the Shrine; He carried flowerpots and water on his shoulders to the Shrine as a practical matter, in order to beautify its surroundings. Little by little, day by day, He took such things into account and did not divorce the practical considerations of life from the spiritual.

My pilgrim guide, Mr. Ardjomandi, is a soul precious and dear to me beyond words. He truly regards each person who crosses his path and puts the full force of his accumulated years of service behind acts of service as simple as smiling at a passersby or greeting friends. The gift of his serving as my pilgrim guide is one that will remain with me always.

Abel, my dear fellow servant from Ethiopia, welcoming the pilgrims to the House of the Master on Haparsim Street--A few friends from my pilgrim group--
Custodians of the Ridvan Garden--
Gul and me, in front of the cottage of Baha'u'llah at the Garden of Ridvan--
Sara, my sister in Faith, with her sister, Nicky--
My beloved pilgrim guide and elder, Mr. Ardjomandi--
Ganga, support custodian and friend, coordinating perfectly with the door at Abdu'llah-Pasha--
The scene at the Pilgrim Farewell in the Haifa Pilgrim House--