The 7th day of the first Mehrab event, with theme of “water and divine religions” was held in the week of water preservation, was held by the initiation and efforts of the water, environment, and energy working group of Iran Public Relations Association on Tir 7, 1401 (28 June) in the conference hall of the Tehran Jewish Association.
Rabbi Younes Hamami Lalehzar from Tehran Jewish Association, Babal Salamati, director and editor of Amordad weekly newspaper, priest Gregoris Narsissianes, the religious advisor of the public relations of the Armenian Caliphate of Tehran, and Dr. Yahya Abadi, a researcher of water in religions, each gave a speech on the subject of water in monotheistic religions.
At the beginning of the conference on the role of water in divine religions, Khosrow Rafiei, director of the Iran Public Relations Association, pointed out that the first Mehrab event was held in the first week of Tir, in 7 steps, in order to protect water, and in line with the public responsibility to use this source of life optimally, and said: “The 6th day of this cultural event is allocated to the role of water among monotheistic religions. The role of water in the beliefs of monotheistic religions is outstanding. The role of water in the ideas of monotheistic religions is very prominent. From this point of view, we can take advantage of the capabilities of religions in this field to protect water.”
He added that to carry out this campaign, all institutions and people must come together and take a collaborative step in this direction to achieve the expected result.
In the Jewish religion, water is one of the most valuable gifts of God
Rabbi Younes Hamami Lalehzar from Tehran Jewish Association, one of the speakers in the conference, started his speech by saying “Water plays an essential role in divine religions. A person who lives within the framework of religious laws takes steps towards a healthy human life and a clean and healthy environment, as well as proper utilization of nature’s gifts. God is the true owner of the world, so mankind cannot carelessly consume the natural resources created by God, and put at our disposal, and cause their pollution and destruction, because loss of natural resources will cause direct harm to human beings.
He pointed out to the many references to the value of water in the Jewish religion and added: “In the holy book of the Jewish faith, water is one of God’s most essential and valuable blessings. The word “water” is mentioned 580 times in the holy book, and it is synonyms are mentioned more than 680 times on various occasions. For example, in the book of Genesis, the second verse talks about water and who created it.”
Hamami Lalehzar continued: “Apart from the fact that our body is mainly made of water, water also plays an important role in many human activities, such as hygiene, agriculture, and energy supply; it is written in the Psalms of David the prophet that waters and earth and whatever is in them is the domain of God. The owner of it is God, who entrusted it to us, humans. That is why there is a special prayer in the Jewish religion for using any substance, whether food or drink. If we look at nature from the point of view that we do not own the land and waters and that they belong to God, we can use the natural resources in a better way.
In the end, he pointed out that there are prayers for rain recited in the Jewish religion, and there are special prayers for the years of drought. He detailed some of the uses of water mentioned in the Torah, and its religious signs.
Water is God’s gift
The next speaker of the conference was priest Gregoris Narcissianes, the religious adviser of the Armenian Caliphate. We read in the Bible that God created the skies and the earth but it was first empty and lifeless. The spirits of God had covered all on the water surfaces and started moving on them. In this way, signs of life appeared in the waters.
He then added: “In the beginning of the Bible, water is considered a symbol of life. In some religious rituals, it is said that God protects the waters with his Holy Spirit. Water in the Bible is a symbol of purity. Water also washes away sins, and they used water for the sick to bathe in and get healed. After prophet Yahya baptized Jesus Christ, water found a special meaning. Water is a gift from God, and the constituent elements of the world, including water, are so essential that God has deemed it necessary to sanctify them.
Referring to Jesus Christ sanctifying water, he said: “Even now water is blessed in the Armenian Orthodox Church, and in the prayer, it is said that we ask Jesus Christ to dissolve in water so that he becomes pure and worthy of sanctification of those who are his children. They are known as God’s spiritual children.
Priest Narcissianes added: “In this ceremony parts of the Bible are recited. Then we ask God to bless the water and let it remain pure. Then the other priest blesses the water and gives the blessed water to the worshipers to drink. In the end, he referred to the rituals connected with water in the Christian religion that are held in the churches, and then read a short prayers, asking God to keep water abundant and clean so that the people could benefit from it.
Babak Salamati, executive director and editor of Amordad weekly newspaper, on behalf of the Zoroastrian community, started his speech by stating that Mobed Dr Korshidian could not be present in this conference, then continued by pointing out to the days of the Zoroastrian calendar, which have a meaningful connection with water. He said: “In the Zoroastrian calendar, 3 days a month are allocated to honor the role of water. The sixth day of every Zoroastrian month is called Khordad. Micronutrients are linked to water. Perhaps the most profound connection with water is food. The tenth day of each Zoroastrian month is also called Aban. On this day, Zoroastrians praise the waters of the world. Today is also the day of Aban, and we take this as a good omen. Another day associated with water is the Tir day and also the month of Tir (July).”
Salamati further added: The influence and connection of Zoroastrian religion and culture with water is abundant. In the architecture of fire temples, we deal with the four elements of water, wind(air), earth and fire are always present. From these the element that is seen more is water. famous Zoroastrian fire temples like the Azargoshasp fire temple and Azarbarzinmehr fire temple, were built next to lakes and rivers. In this way water is revered next to the holy fire.
The speaker then said: “On the 5th day of the Zoroastrian calendar the world was created. Khordad or Horvatat, means fulfilment and perfection, and it is the 5th step of the 6 stages of human’s spiritual growth which is taken towards Ahura Mazda. Khordad is connected with flowing waters, and perfection is related to water. Water has the quality of clarity; it is with fulfilment and perfection and after our soul is purified that we can achieve enlightenment and this means nothing other than fulfilment and perfection.
Pointing out that Khurdad is one of Ahura Mazda’s attributes and is of great importance, salamati added: “Khurdad is associated with another attribute by the name of Amordad; because Amordad is responsible for protecting plants. Zoroastrians pray to Khurdad and Amshaspand when drinking water.
According to Salamati Khordad Yasht is one of the Avesta’s Yashts, most of which has been lost during the wars with Alexander. Yasht means praise and prayer. The reason we have the Yasht prayers for many of the months of the year is to praise all what is on the earth and skies.
In the book “Bondahesh” it is mentioned that after crossing the Dahyti river, Ashu Zarathushtra gained divine enlightenment and intellect. This means that crossing the river beings enlightenment for humans. In this same book the flower Lily is considered to be symbol of Khordad. Salamati continued: Hat 47 of Yasna says that Ahura Mazda bestowed perfection of Khordad and Immortality of Amordad to those whose thoughts, words and deeds are in accordance with the law of Asha (truthfulness).
He said: But another day that is associated with water in the Zoroastrian calendar is the day of July. Tirgan festival is held on the 10th of Tirmah (13th of the Zoroastrian calendar). A mythic narrative of this celebration goes back to the throwing of an arrow by Arash Kamangir and the determination of Iran’s border. People delight in the Tirgan Festival, and on this day, Zoroastrians wear Tirubad bracelets on their hands and throw them to the wind along with their wishes for Iran and its people on the 19th of Tir.
He said: “There is yet another day associated with water in the Zoroastrian calendar and that is Tir day in the month of Tir (July). Tirgan festival is held on the 10th of Tir (13th Tir of Zoroastrian calendar). A myth connected to this celebration is about the throwing of an arrow by Arash Kamangir which determined the Iranian border with Turan. People make merry on this festival and Zoroastrians wear special bracelets called “Tir-o-bad” on their hands, and on the 19th of Tir throw them towards the wind along with their wishes for Iran and its people.
He then continued: “Tirgan festival also has a heavenly narrative. On this day a battle takes place between Tishtar, the rain star, with Apush, the demon of drought. This battle goes on in the sky, and for this battle to end with the victory of the rain star over the demon of drought, we have a celebration called “sprinkling water” (Abpashan) (people splash water on each other). Abpashan festival is one of the oldest festival of Iran and the Zoroastrians.
The speaker further said: “Jashn meaning celebration is derived from the word Yasn, and Yasn means praise. We Zoroastrians believe that we should take joy in praising the blessings of Ahura mazda. We believe that the best way of showing our gratitude is be being joyful and happy. And, God wants us to be joyful.
In the continuation of his speech, Salah said: Another day associated with water in Zoroastrian culture is Abanroz (day of Aban). In Abanyasht Aredvi Sura anahita is highly praised. Aredvi Sura has a mythical symbol: a tall and beautiful lady sitting on her throne in the heavens. On this day we recite the prayer in Avesta called “Abzoor” (helping the waters”). In this prayer Aredvi sura anahita is [praised. Baba Salamato, who spoke on behalf of the Zoroastrian community, ended his speech by pointing out to the second gahanbar of the year, which is for the creation, and reciting a short prayer from Khordeh Avesta.
In the beginning, the world was a single piece of water
Hojjatul Islam Yahya Abadi, a researcher on the water in religions, was the last speaker at this conference. At the beginning of his speech, referring to the role of water in the beliefs of monotheistic religions, he said: We believe that the ratio of everything in the world is measured by water, but for water itself, the balance and kinship have not been determined, because everything is made of water. In all divine religions, as a first step, those who want to be saved from impurity and evil, and convert to a new religion, should perform ghusl, which means they should be purified with water.
Photos by Homayoun Mehrzad
