Obituary

Mobed-e-Mobedyan Mehraban Firouzgary 

Even when he was Head Priest and the most respected Iranian Mobedyan, Mehraban Firouzgary just wanted to be known as a simple priest. His voice recited Zoroastrian prayers with the original musical elements, while his face radiated a spiritual aura.  

My first sight of him was at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and the spotless white, graceful coat with a thin line of gold work, made everyone around him recognize he was a Man of God. He was Parzor’s first Iranian priestly contact, he shared a wealth of knowledge from his childhood onwards with us, he prayed in the garden of Sethna Farm, performing a Jashan in the open air on green grass, completely lost in meditation as he prayed. After our parents passed on, each year he would remember them on their anniversaries of birth and death, reminding us that noble souls will always have friends in this world and the next.  

What did he teach us? To follow Zarathushtra’s Message for its universal truths, to explain carefully each symbol in a ritual, especially the rituals of life’s journey- the Sudreh Pushi, the wedding, the journey of the soul into the heavenly garden of Light & Song. He taught us true selfless service as we watched a frail body but determined spirit carry on teaching all those around him, Zoroastrian and non Zoroastrian, the path of truth.  

Mobed Firouzgary is now in that blessed garden with his loved ones but his presence is with us in the gifts of Sofreh and dulog bags filled with his blessings. Rest now Mobed Firouzgary; you have so many who loved you to continue your work.