April 2. On this date in 2004, Ola Pawlowska passed away. She had been named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for her pioneering work to the St. Pierre and Miquelon. "Knight of Bahá'u'lláh" was a title conferred to Bahá'ís who introduced the Bahá'í Faith to new territories during the Ten Year Crusade.
On October 22, 1956, a card postmarked from St. Pierre and Miquelon was sent to Shoghi Effendi, who was "happy to know that Mrs. Pawlowska is continuing her valuable pioneer service there, to which he attaches great importance." She was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for those islands.
20 December 1956
To individual believers
Dear Bahá'í Friends:
The beloved Guardian was pleased to see the work is going well in the new territories, and particularly to see the post mark "Saint Pierre & Miquelon" on your post card of October 22nd.
He is happy to know that Mrs. Pawlowska [71] is continuing her valuable pioneer service there, to which he attaches great importance.
He assures you both of his loving prayers for the success of your devoted labours.
With warm Bahá'í greetings,
R. Rabbani
May the Beloved, Whose Cause you promote with such splendid devotion, constancy and vigilance, reward you for your past achievements, and enable you to enrich the record of your meritorious services to His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
[71] Ola Pawlowska -- Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for St. Pierre and Miquelon Islands (1953-58), later pioneered to Luxembourg, Poland and Congo (Zaire)
What has always struck me about the designation of Knights of Bahá'u'lláh is the arbitrariness with which the "virgin territories" were defined. For example, the Cook Islands and Tonga Island, both part of the Realm of New Zealand have distinct sets of Knights, while Niue and the Chatham Islands, also part of the Realm of New Zealand, are Knightless.
Several islands off the coast of Alaska have distinct Knights, like Baranof Island , Kodiak Island, and the Aleutian Islands. Yet other Alaskan islands, like the Pribilof Islands are Knightless.
The Brazilian state of Amapá has its own Knights (for Portuguese Guiana), while the other Brazilian states are Knightless.
Crete and Rhodes have Knights distinct from the Knights of mainland Greece, yet other Greek islands, like Santorini and Samos, are Knightless.
Key West has its own Knight, yet the other Florida Keys are Knightless.
Tiny islands, like Great Manan, have their own Knights. St. Thomas Island has its own Knight, yet the remaining Leeward Islands have one set of Knights, representing numerous politically and geographically independent islands. Similarly, the Windward Islands have one set of Knights, representing numerous politically and geographically independent islands.
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