Sîrôzahs - Classic Text | Alexandria
The Sîrôzahs represent a significant corpus of Zoroastrian liturgical texts, recited by priests during religious ceremonies to invoke and honor the thirty divine beings (yazatas) associated with each day of the month in the ancient Iranian calendar. These sacred invocations, whose name literally translates to "thirty days" in Avestan, serve as a crucial bridge between the daily religious practices of Zoroastrian priests and the cosmic order established in their theological framework.
First documented in surviving manuscripts dating to the 13th century CE, though believed to be far older in oral tradition, the Sîrôzahs exist in two distinct forms: the "Lesser" (Sîrôzah I) and "Greater" (Sîrôzah II) versions. The texts emerged during a period of intense theological codification within Zoroastrian communities, particularly following the Arab conquest of Persia, when preserving religious traditions became paramount for cultural survival.
The recitation of these texts by Zoroastrian priests, known as Mobeds, formed an integral part of the religious calendar and ritual observances. Each day's dedication to a specific yazata created a complex web of spiritual correspondences that guided both priestly duties and lay worship. The sophisticated structure of the Sîrôzahs reveals an intricate understanding of astronomical cycles and their integration with religious practice, demonstrating the advanced scientific knowledge of ancient Iranian civilization.
The legacy of the Sîrôzahs extends beyond their liturgical function, offering modern scholars invaluable insights into Zoroastrian theological development, ancient Iranian calendar systems, and the evolution of Indo-Iranian languages. Contemporary Zoroastrian communities, though diminished in number, continue to preserve these texts through both traditional oral transmission and modern academic study. The enduring mystery of their original composition and the layers of meaning embedded within their carefully crafted verses continue to intrigue religious scholars and historians alike, raising questions about the sophisticated theological systems of ancient Iran and their influence on later religious traditions.