Zoroastrianism

Zarathushtra

Known to the Greeks as “Zoroaster,” the Prophet Zarathushtra lived and taught in ancient Persia in the second millennium BCE, some scholars say as early as 1,750 BCE. His divinely revealed teachings emphasized ethical monotheism, with one supreme God, Ahura Mazda.

Navjote

The Zoroastrian initiation ceremony is referred to as a Navjote by Parsis and as Sudreh-Pushi by Iranian Zoroastrians. This ceremony, an investiture of the sacred shirt and sacred cord, represents a choice to enter into the Zoroastrian faith and to live as a Zoroastrian.

fire altar

Fire altars have played a central role in both Hindu and Zoroastrian religious rituals. In the Hindu tradition, fire altars were central to ancient Vedic religious life as the place where many yajnas or rituals were performed. The kindling of sacred fire at a fire altar continues to be central for many Hindu domestic rites, including marriage, and for public rites such as the consecration of a temple. In the ancient Zoroastrian tradition, the central rites called yasna were and are still performed in the presence of the purifying fire. In a fire temple the Afargan or fire vase... Read more about fire altar

Angel

Angels are a class of supernatural or spiritual beings, imaginatively understood to perform various functions on God’s behalf. Angels are especially described as divine messengers. Angels are common to Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Parsi

Parsis are Zoroastrians originally from the Iranian region of Pars who came to India, having fled religious persecution in Iran. Owing to centuries of separation, present-day Parsis and Iranian Zoroastrians often speak different languages, and may follow distinct religious calendars and observe different ritual practices.

Jashan

A Jashan is a Zoroastrian religious observance marking an important occasion or event, whether joyful or melancholy. This observance is often referred to as “Jashan” by Parsis and as “Jashn” by Irani Zoroastrians.

Dar-e-Mehr

A Zoroastrian house of worship is often known as a “fire temple” because Zoroastrians pray in the presence of fire. Fire temples in India and Iran are named according to the grade of fire; the highest grade temple is known as an Atash Bahram. In the United States, the term Dar-e-Mehr or Darbe Mehr is often used, meaning the door or portal to all that is good: love, charity, kindness, and devotion.

Sudreh-Pushi

The Zoroastrian initiation ceremony is referred to as a Navjote by Parsis and as Sudreh-Pushi by Iranian Zoroastrians. This ceremony, an investiture of the sacred shirt and sacred cord, represents a choice to enter into the Zoroastrian faith and to live as a Zoroastrian.

mobed

A mobed is a man with knowledge; in common usage, this term refers to a Zoroastrian priest of any category or rank. Zoroastrians recognize an hereditary priesthood; one must be born into a mobed family in order to become a priest.

Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America

FEZANA, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America, was founded in 1986 to serve as an umbrella organization for Zoroastrian associations in the U.S. and Canada. This organization publishes the quarterly FEZANA Journal and sponsors numerous congresses, committees, and special events.

Ahura Mazda

Ahura Mazda in the Avestan language is the “Lord of Life and Wisdom,” the one supreme and infinite God, as taught by the Prophet Zarathushtra. Ahura Mazda’s divine attributes, which humans are taught to emulate, include: the good mind; the divine law of righteousness, justice, and truth; divine majesty and power; divine love and benevolent devotion; perfection and immortality.

Zoroastrianism

Originating with the teachings of the Prophet Zarathushtra in the second millennium BCE, the ancient faith of Zoroastrianism is referred to as “the Good Religion” in the sacred texts. Zoroastrians are encouraged to live out their faith through the practice of “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.” Today, many Zoroastrians refer to themselves as “Zarthushtis.”

Navroz

Navroz is the Zoroastrian New Year. Contemporary Zoroastrians observe three distinct religious calendars: Fasli, Shenshai, and Kadmi. Accordingly, three New Year celebrations are also observed. “Jamshedi Navroz” takes its name from King Jamshed, and occurs at the time of the Spring Equinox.

Gahambar

Gahambars are the six periodic festivals marking the seasonal divisions of the year for Zoroastrians.

Zoroastrians in India and Iran

Zoroastrians in India and IranZoroastrians gained acceptance and eventual imperial power in Central Asia, reaching their zenith when Zoroastrianism was established as the state religion of the Sassanian Empire in the 3rd century. When the Sassanian Empire fell in 652 CE to Arab Muslims, Zoroastrians were forced to flee, convert, or practice in secret. A group of Zoroastrians, known as Parsis, fled to Gujurat, where they developed a cultural identity distinct from Iranian Zoroastrians.... Read more about Zoroastrians in India and Iran

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