Caiaphas: The Jewish high priest who presided at the court which tried and condemned Jesus.
Cain and Abel: The two sons of Adam and Eve. See Genesis 4 and Qur'an, Surih 5.
Calendar, Baha'i: Year consisting of 19 months of 19 days each, with the addition of certain "intercalary days” (four in ordinary and five in leap years) between the 18th and l9th months in order to adjust the calendar to the solar year. Naw-Ruz, the Baha'i new year, is astronomically fixed, commencing at the vernal equinox (21 March). The Baha’i era (BE) begins with the year of the Bab’s declaration (1844 CE).
Caliphs: Also known in the west as Caliphate: Literally, "successors" or "vicegerents” to the Prophet Muhammad in the Sunni branch of Islam." The Shi’ih branch of Islam holds that the successors of the Prophet must be the members of His own family, but they do not use the title Khalifih or "Caliph." The Sultan of Turkey assumed this title early in the 16th century.
Caravansary: A Middle Eastern inn surrounding a court in which caravans can rest at night.
Carmel, Mount: One of the sacred spots in Baha'i history, where are the shrines of the Bab and of 'Abdu’l-Baha and memorials to other members of 'Abdu’l-Baha’s family.
Center of the Covenant: A title of 'Abdu’l-Baha referring to His appointment by Baha’u’llah as the successor to whom all must turn after Baha’u’llah’s passing.
Central Figures: Term used to refer collectively to Baha’u’llah, the Bab, and ‘Abdu'l-Baha.
Cherubim: In the Bible the Cherubim appear as distinct from the angels who are Jehovah's messengers, while the Cherubim are found where God is personally present: e.g. "And he [God] rode upon a cherub." (Psalms 18:10). Figures of Cherubim were wrought into the hangings of the Holy of Holies and were represented above the Mercy Seat within. In later tradition, the Cherubim were included among the nine orders of angels.
Circumambulation: Literally to circle on foot, especially ritualistically. A Muslim custom by which one expresses devotion for the Prophets of God or other holy souls.
City of Certitude: A condition of high spiritual attainment.
Constantinople: Present-day Istanbul, the former capital of the Ottoman Empire to which Baha’u’llah was banished in 1863.
Consultation: A form of discussion between individuals and within groups which requires the subjugation of egotism so that all ideas can be shared and evaluated with frankness, courtesy, and openness of mind, and decisions arrived at can be wholeheartedly supported. Its guiding principles were elaborated by 'Abdu'l-Baha.
Continental Boards of Counselors: An institution of the Baha’i Administrative Order established by the Universal House of Justice in 1968 to extend into the future the work of the institution of the Hands of the Cause of God, particularly its appointed functions of protection and propagation. With the passing of Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, there was no way for additional Hands of the Cause to be appointed.. Its members are appointed to five-year terms by the Universal House of Justice and serve in five zones - Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australasia, and Europe. The duties of the Counsellors include directing the Auxiliary Boards in their respective areas, advising and collaborating with National Spiritual Assemblies, and keeping the Universal House of justice informed concerning the conditions of the Faith in their areas.
Convention: A gathering called at a regional, national, or international level for consultation on matters affecting the welfare of the Baha'i community and for the purpose, respectively, of electing delegates to a National Convention, electing members of a National Spiritual Assembly, or electing members of the Universal House of Justice.
Copt: The Copts were descendants of the ancient Egyptian stock. They were unbelievers in the time of Moses. The Septs were the tribes of Israel.
Covenant: A pact that involves obligations by both parties. According to Baha’u’llah, God has always guided and instructed humanity through a succession of Divine Messengers, Whom humanity has the obligation to accept and obey. This is called the Greater Covenant. The Lesser Covenant is that made between a Messenger and His followers. A reference to the provisions made in the Baha’i writings concerning the succession of authority in the Baha’i Faith after the passing of Baha’u’llah and the structure of the Baha’i Administrative Order. Baha’u’llah’s Covenant with His followers designates ‘Abdu'l-Baha as the perfect exemplar, and the Center of the Covenant and confers upon him the authority to interpret Baha’u’llah’s writings. The Covenant also formally established the institutions of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice as the twin successors of Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu'l-Baha.
Covenant-breaker: A Baha’i term used to describe a Baha’i who attempts to disrupt the unity of the Baha’i Faith by publicly denying the line of succession (i.e., Baha’u’llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha & Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice), or who rebels against the head of the Faith and actively works to undermine the Covenant. Baha’is who persist in these activities may be removed from membership in the Baha’i Faith. This is a very rate occurrence.
Crimson Ark: Each of the past Dispensations was referred to as an "Ark." This refers to the Cause of Baha'u'llah.
Crimson Book: Baha'u'llah's Book of the Covenant. See God Passes By, p. 238.
Crimson Pillar: An allusion to the Religion of Baha’u’llah, crimsoned with the blood of martyrs.
Darughih: Arabic, means High constable
Dawlih: Arabic, means State, government
Day Star of Muhammad: Symbol of the Prophet as enlightening the world.
Dervish: Literally beggar, poor one: the name given to one of many orders of religious mendicants and Islamic mystics.
Dhabih: Means “sacrifice”, title given by Baha’u’llah to the famous Baha’i and brother of Mirz Jani of Kashan (see The Dawn-Breakers).
Dhi’l-Jawshan: An Arabian term meaning "clad in armor", applied to Mulla 'Abdu'llah the arch-killer of Imam Husayn.
Divine Elixir: Symbolic reference to the elixir of the alchemists, that was supposed to transform base metals into gold. It also symbolically represents the power of faith to confer eternal life upon man; from "elixir", an imaginary liquor supposed to prolong human life indefinitely.
Divine Lote-Tree: A reference to the tree beyond which there is no passing-in ancient times, the tree that Arabs planted to mark the end of a road. In Islam, the term symbolizes the point in the heavens beyond which neither humans nor angels can pass in their approach to God, thus delimiting the bounds of divine knowledge as revealed to humankind. In Baha’i usage it is a reference to the Messenger of God -i.e., Baha’u’llah
Divine Messenger: Prophet of God. The Great Saul, the All- Perfect One through whom such a Revelation is given.
Divine Messiah: The Divine King and Deliverer expected by the Hebrews.
Dispensation: The period of time during which the laws and teachings of a Prophet or Manifestation of God have spiritual authority. A dispensation begins with the Manifestation's declaration of His mission and ends with the advent of the next Manifestation of God.
Diyar-Bakr: A commercial city on the banks of the Tigris River in Turkey.
