"This 10-week module on rituals for mobeds has been a success beyond our expectations… The priests acknowledged that the course fulfilled their need for knowledge from authentic sources which they require to confidently answer questions from their clients when their knowledge is challenged,” Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, principal of the Dadar Athornan Institute told Parsiana on August 3, 2023 about the course he conducted along with Dr Almut Hintze, Zartoshty Brothers Professor of Zoroastrianism at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. The sessions, held online every Monday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. between May 22 and July 24, were attended by priests from Bombay, Nagpur, Bangalore, Bilimora and Karachi. Topics covered included baj and outer rituals like afringan, farokhshi, stum, navjote, wedding and death ceremonies as well as the boi ceremony. The course will run for 30 weeks and future modules will focus on inner rituals and Avestan texts.
Specially designed for both full-time and part-time priests, the course is envisioned and funded by Zarthushtra (Zar) Amrolia of the UK in memory of his late parents Jal and Armin Amrolia, appreciated Karanjia. "The purpose of the course is to empower Zoroastrian priests all over the world.” Zarthushtra attended some of the sessions.
Above (1st row, 2nd from l): Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia and
(3rd row, 4th from l): Dr Almut Hintze, mentoring mobeds
Karanjia communicated to Parsiana that "the priests have also learnt to honor and respect differences among them and at the same time hold true to what they have been taught.” An increase in the priests’ knowledge, confidence and satisfaction will enable them to "happily share this knowledge with well-meaning members of the community who will then honor and respect them even more.”
Karanjia said that "there were healthy discussions after each session. On completion of the course, the priests will write an essay on the topics covered in the course and how the course helped and influenced them.” Attendees will receive a certificate confirming their successful participation and a monetary award.
Zarthushtra has made an endowment to the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe which "makes it possible for the courses to run annually, provided there is an interest among priests,” Karanjia stated. Zarthushtra hopes to run the course globally. A plan is already underway to include Iranian priests next year.
The full-time priests who participated are Ervads Peterasp Bajan, Zarvan Bharda, Adil Bhesania, Neville Broacha, Hormuz Dadachanji, Marazban Kanga, Kersi Karanjia, Fardoon Karkaria, Kaizad Kotwal, Harvesp Madon, Farshogar Madon, Dinshaw Mullanfiroze, Percy Panthaky, Sheherazad Pavri, Hormazd Sidhwa, Kurush Sidhwa, Khurshed Turel, Gushtasp Vimadalal and Farzin Yazeshni. Most priests had a 100% attendance record and no priest had less than 80% attendance, Karanjia appreciated.
Priests who would like to participate should write to
ramiyark@gmail.com and
ah69@soas.ac.uk for information about future batches. Applications should include full name; whether performing higher rituals; part-time or full-time; nature of service; place of work; one reference.