The reason for including the Samoan island of Upolu in our South Pacific travel plans was to fulfill our dream of visiting the eight Continental (Mother Temple) Baha’i House of Worship in our life time. With Samoa we have now visited five with three, Kampala, Uganda, Panama City, Panama and Santiago, Chile
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Baháʼí_Houses_of_Worship
We arrived in Apia in the early morning hours as the island received its first heavy rain for a couple of days. “A good omen” we were told.
Finally, the rain subsided enough for us to hire a taxi driver, who, like most of the people here, knew the direction and about the House of Worship.
A youth volunteer, Sia, with a big smile welcomed us, handed us two big umbrellas and guided us to the beautiful visitor center. As soon as we walked on the grounds, the majestic dome of this magnificent structure greeted us through the fog and a gentle mist.
After a short stop at the visitor’s center, Sia, guided us to the House of Worship, where we were the only ones, and quietly disappeared, until we met her again at the gate, where she arranged for a taxi to pick us up.
There is no way to describe our feelings as we sat under the highest point on the dome where the invocation, Ya Baha’u’l-Abha’ meaning: ‘O Thou Glory of Glories, in Arabic calligraphy is placed, naming and praying for our friends, families, removal of difficulties and unity amongst all of the inhabitant of the World.
We left the inner chamber of the House of Worship and walked the magnificent grounds sprinkled with colorful flowers, tree and greenest grass. Richard commented that the only other space where he had felt this much serenity and peace was at the Holy Shrines in Akka and Haifa in Israel. I AGREE!
We walked the gardens for another hour and took lots of photos. A sweet incident was a visit by this beautiful bird – of cardinal species. I think he knew that we are from NC, where the state bird is a cardinal.
https://ebird.org/species/carmyz1
If one visit was not enough, we had the bounty to return to the House of Worship again, for the regular Sunday devotional, open to everyone from any Faith, creed and gender.
The hall was almost completely filled with people, mainly locals, over a 100 youth from the island attending a youth conference, several members of the Samoan National table tennis -ping pong team-who were in Apia for competition and sprinkle of tourists.
The Program included selections from the Holy Writings in Samoan and English with soul altering choir offerings at the beginning, middle and the end.
photos.app.goo.gl/ujqLjuTN6vYSiJSU6
I do not exaggerate when I say, that I had never heard a better sounding choir. The angelic voices and heavenly harmony was so palpable that everyone, even the small children, were in complete silence. Luckily I was able to record the three offering and I am able to share them with you here.
And, this is a beautiful rendition of the healing prayers offered:
After the program, we met many new friends! We were especial happy to meet Ruth, who lives right next to the temple and who had provided us with invaluable advice about Samoa and visit to the HOW.
Today, the last full day of our travel to the south pacific islands, we could not think of anything better to do, than to return to the House of Worship for more prayers & reflection. Once again, we were the only one in the building. Sitting again, right under the Greatest Name, we each quietly prayed. I took a few more photos and with grateful hearts we said farewell to this majestic edifice, the silent & magnificent symbol of love and unity.
This is the link to a whole lot more photos. Feel free to share one or all of the photos with others.
“The earth is but one country” 