October 20, 2007
Source: Chicago Tribune
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=631760&category=REGION&newsdate=10/20/2007
CHICAGO -- When a group of young Zoroastrian people gathered around a bonfire in a Chicago suburb to pray for their religion's survival, they sang a modern hymn of their adopted homeland with a sentiment at the heart of their ancient faith.
"Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with a light from above," their voices rang out.
Thousands of years before Irving Berlin composed "God Bless America," Zoroastrians were praying for divine guidance and symbolizing their hope for heavenly enlightenment with fire.