mobeds

Mobed, also spelled mowbed or mobedh, is a Zoroastrian priest who officiates religious ceremonies, teaches the faith, and guides the community in ritual practice. The word is derived from Middle Persian and Avestan roots referring to a religious teacher or priest. In both Iran and among the Parsis of India, mobeds perform essential liturgical duties and preserve priestly tradition.

Training and ordination: Prospective mobeds undergo long training under senior priests, studying the Avesta and related texts, ritual purity laws, and the sequence of ceremonies. Ordination is granted by a senior religious authority, typically a dastur or high priest, after demonstration of knowledge and competence in rites. Training often occurs within a temple or Zoroastrian center.

Roles and duties: The primary role of a mobed is to perform rituals and rites of passage, including Navjote (initiation for children), weddings, and funerals. They lead daily prayers, recite portions of the Yasna and other liturgical texts, and oversee atash (fire) ceremonies where applicable. Mobeds also advise the community on religious matters, administer temple activities, and educate followers about Zoroastrian beliefs, ethics, and ritual observance.

Geographic and communal context: Mobeds have long served Zoroastrians in Iran and in the Indian subcontinent (Parsis), where priestly authority is central to communal life. In contemporary communities, practices and access to priestly services can vary, with ongoing discussions about education, gender, and lay involvement in religious leadership.