Shining Lamp: Victoria Bedikian (1879-1955): “Auntie Victoria”
Imagine training to be a musician, but suddenly becoming deaf. How would you handle it? When it happened to Victoria Bedikian, she didn’t let it slow her down.
Victoria Bedikian used her art to promote the Bahá’í Faith.
Born in 1879, Victoria grew up in Idaho with six sisters. They traveled between the U.S. and Germany, studying art and music. But Victoria’s life changed when she lost her hearing as a kid, possibly due to illness. Leaving music behind, she devoted herself to drawing and painting instead.
When she was 22, Victoria married Dikran Bedikian. They owned an art store in New Jersey. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited their store during his travels to North America in 1912. Victoria became a Bahá’í seven years later, in 1919. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote to her and encouraged her to devote her art to the Faith.
“Auntie” Victoria
Victoria had a special place in her heart for kids and their noble spirits. She said, “No work is greater, or more important, than the work with the children ... they are simply His Very Own, and need all the attention we can give to them ...”
The Bedikians opened their home to kids in need and also adopted a son. They purchased 19 acres and built an orphanage and a school. At one point, over 40 kids lived there. They called her “Auntie” Victoria, a nickname she cherished.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá praised her loving care of children. He said, “Helping the poor and the orphan is service to the Kingdom of God. No benevolent deed has or will ever surpass it in merit.”
In 1922, Victoria started a magazine for kids that was soon called The Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom. She wrote to over 100 groups of kids in countries such as the U.S., Egypt, India, Australia, and Japan. She called them “gardens,” and each had a special name, such as “Rose Garden” or “Song Birds.” She included letters and photos from them in her magazine. Over the years, she created other publications, too.
Building Together
Through her magazines, Victoria encouraged Bahá’ís to contribute to the first Bahá’í House of Worship in North America. She wrote letters to readers and included drawings of what the Temple would look like. She wrote, “Giving is an art! Selfless giving proves our faith and love and hope in Bahá’u’lláh!”
Victoria went on pilgrimage to Haifa, Israel, in 1927. It was a highlight of her life. She spent three months as a guest of Shoghi Effendi, the leader and Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith. He prepared her to raise funds for the Temple and communicate messages of love and unity to Bahá’ís around the world.
After her husband passed away, Victoria shared Bahá’í teachings throughout the U.S. She continued to create art and write to Bahá’ís until her passing in Georgia in 1955 at the age of 76.
Her loving letters had reached so many people that memorial services were held for her in many countries. Shoghi Effendi called her an “indefatigable, wholly consecrated promoter of the Faith” and praised her “unforgettable” services.
For a printable version, download a PDF of this story.
Bahá’í Faith515 Bahá’ís in History201 Service288 Creativity245 Challenges234 Shining Lamp50 Shining Lamps113 History52