FEZANA

10/13/2026

10/13/2026

10/05/2026

On October 16th, IAUNRC and CEUS are welcoming Dr. Anastasiya Miksiuk to present a lecture on "Social Structures and Developments within the Early Zoroastrian Community as Reflected in the Avesta", which serves as part of IAUNRC's 2026-2027 lecture series "Small-Scale Societies, Empires, and Neo-Empires".

Title:
Social Structures and Developments within the Early Zoroastrian Community as Reflected in the Avesta

About:
The Avesta is a valuable historical source for reconstructing the social organization of the early Zoroastrian community. The sacred and ritual character of the text predetermined the use of stable formulas and the creation of an ideal model of society. Nevertheless, behind this standardized framework, one can reconstruct mechanisms of intra‑communal regulation, power and status relations.

This talk offers a systemic view of the social structure of the early Zoroastrian community, drawing on an analysis of the social terminology and the content of the Avesta. The presence of chronological layers within the Avesta allows us to trace the gradual increase in complexity of social institutions, as well as the evolution of interpersonal relations and power structures in the Zoroastrian community. These changes reflect the transition from small tribal collectives to more complex pre‑state formations. Thus, the Avesta recorded not so much a static model of society as the dynamics of development and adaptation of its social institutions.

Anastasiya Miksiuk, PhD in History (Belarusian State University), Associate Professor at Belarusian State University.
She is a historian specializing in Avestan studies. Her research focuses on the intersection of philology and social history, with particular attention to social data embedded in the Avesta, Zoroastrian priesthood, and rituals.

Event info: https://events.iu.edu/iaunrc/event/2410787-social-structures-and-developments-within-the

10/03/2026

Mehregan is a celebration of the autumn sun, the balance between day and night, and the eternal bond between humanity and the rhythms of nature 🍂🌞

Often called Persian Thanksgiving, it’s a festival of gratitude, giving and Mehr, a word tied to love, kindness and friendship.

09/28/2026

Don't miss out on the 26th Annual FIRES-FEZANA Speaker Series coming up that is all about FOOD! Folk interested may join via Zoom on Saturday October 10th!

It features compelling talks that promise to captivate your curiosity.

Firstly, Zal Taleyarkhan will speak on, “A Living Heritage – From Persepolis Rations to Dhunsak: Zoroastrian Foodways Across 2,500 Years.” Zal Taleyarkhan is a culinologist, culinary innovator, and food industry consultant with extensive experience in research and development, commercialization, manufacturing, and restaurant innovation. A passionate student of Zoroastrian history and culture, and is the current President of the Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism – a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting academic and theological study of Zoroastrianism.

Secondly, Jehangir Mehta, the award-winning, nationally famous chef, will speak on “The Transcendent Graffiti.” Chef Jehangir Mehta is an acclaimed New York–based chef, restaurateur, author, and culinary innovator. A Food Network personality and finalist on The Next Iron Chef, he is known for his inventive, vegetable-forward cuisine that blends his Indian heritage with global flavors. He is the author of Mantra: The Rules of Indulgence and founder of acclaimed New York restaurants including Graffiti and Graffiti Earth.

Last, but not least, Dr. Mariano Errichiello, Shapoorji Pallonji Senior Lecturer in Zoroastrianism and Executive Director of the Shapoorji Pallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies at SOAS University of London, will present on “Zoroastrian Studies Today: From Research to Community.” His research focuses on modern Zoroastrianism, combining textual and ethnographic approaches to explore hermeneutics, ritual and religious authority. His monograph, The Teachings of the Master-Hearts: Zoroastrian Esotericism and Hermeneutical Polyphony in Modern India (Oxford University Press, 2026), examines Zoroastrian esotericism and questions of religious interpretation in colonial India. In Fall 2026, he is a Visiting Fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies at Princeton University.

Zoom Information Below for Speaker Talks on Saturday October, 10th:
👉 10:30am to 12:30pm & 1:30pm to 2:30pm CST
👉 9:30am to 11:30am & 12:30pm to 1:30pm EST
👉 8:30am to 10:30am & 11:30am to 12:3pm PST

Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 890 1094 7846
Passcode: FIRES-FEZANA

For more info and the full programme, please visit https://fires-fezana.org/26th-annual-lecture-series/

09/28/2026

A 16 year old wrote the script and our FEZANA President was a good sport about it 😅

Featuring Kayo Sidhwa
Directed by Friyana Sidhwa
Script and Edit by Jayden Ullal

09/25/2026

Over the past thousand years, both the Iranian Zoroastrians and the Parsis of India held firmly to doctrine and tradition.

The Parsis stayed distinct amid India’s multitudes, and the Iranians endured centuries of persecution.

Now, in the community’s second major diaspora, the two groups are meeting again in the West, revealing how differently each developed. Redefining modern Zoroastrian identity means coming to terms with that past.

Western Zoroastrianism will not copy the Old Countries but form its own character, with far-reaching consequences.

Don’t miss out on the fascinating discussion happening this Saturday Sept 26th on Zoom at 10am PST/1pm EST