Portal:Zoroastrianism/Facts Archive

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[edit] Archive of Did you know? facts: 2006

[edit] December 2006


[edit] Archive of Did you know? facts: 2007

[edit] January 2007

Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed religions, and was the state religion of three great Iranian empires, hence covering a timespan of nearly one millennium. It flourished in the Near and Middle East from the sixth century B.C. to the seventh century A.C. It has probably had more influence on mankind than any other single faith.

Source: Boyce, Mary (2001). Zoroastrians, their religious beliefs and practices. London: Routledge


[edit] February 2007

Zarathushtra, (Avestan: Zaraθuštra), of the Spitaman family, is one of the first and oldest prophets of mankind's history. He was the son of Pourushaspa. His mother's name was Dughdova. He is known to us from the Gathas (Avestan: Gāθās), seventeen hymns which were composed by Zarathushtra and preserved faithfully by the Zoroastrian community.

Source: Boyce, Mary (2001). Zoroastrians, their religious beliefs and practices. London: Routledge


[edit] March 2007

The seventeen hymns or the Gathas, Gāθās in Avestan, are part of the Yasnas. Many of these hymns are directed to Ahura Mazda. The Gathas were handed down orally from generation to generation and were written down under the Sasanians.

Source: Boyce, Mary (2001). Zoroastrians, their religious beliefs and practices. London: Routledge


[edit] April 2007

The name Amesha Spenta (Aməṣ̌a Spənta in Avestan or Amahraspand in Middle Persian), meaning 'Holy Immortals', is first attested in Yasna Haptanhāiti and was almost certainly coined by the prophet himself. This key theological expression is applied specially to the great six divinities of Ahura Mazda's creation. The Amesha Spentas represent qualities and attributes of Ahura Mazda himself.

Source: Boyce, Mary (2001). Zoroastrians, their religious beliefs and practices. London: Routledge


[edit] May 2007

Zoroastrians celebrate six religious festivals, called Gahanbar, that correspond with the six phases of creation as mentioned in the Avesta. The Gahanbars are celebrated by Iranian and Indian Zoroastrians.


[edit] June 2007

Portal:Zoroastrianism/Facts Archive/June 2007