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Universal Chrestian Mithraism is a new religious movement, but one tracing its heritage to the religious culture of ancient Iran, especially the tradition known as Zoroastrianism. As well as the full name of 'Universal Chrestian Mithraism' the shorter terms 'Universal Mithraism' and 'Christian Mithraism' are also used to describe the movement. Our movement is Mithraic because its focus is on the god Mithra, who is the divine form of the human struggle to produce the Good Existence. It is Chrestian because it emphasizes Mithra's role as Chrestus - the Good One, the Useful One - the One working for the benefit of the whole community, rather than selfish advancement. It is Universal because it aims to be relevant to the whole of life, and be concerned with the whole of the world. THE GODLY TRINITY The Godly trinity is our principal attempt to describe the nature of God. The Godly trinity is made up of three religious beings which are ZURVAN, MAZDA and MITHRA: Zurvan is the Ground of Being. Zurvan is the ultimate foundation and source of all existence. Zurvan is the time and space within which is all that exists, and without which nothing could exist. Zurvan is the ultimate source of matter, spirit and energy, and Zurvan upholds the laws that control their manifestation. Mazda is Wisdom. Mazda is the active power of Mind that shapes the world in ways that are productive of the Good. Aramazda is a variant term for Mazda meaning the Wise Lord, the power that guides the different activities and happenings of the world in the best way. Mithra is the human-shaped Champion of the Good. Mithra is a fully divine being, not a demigod who derives in part from a particular human being. Yet Mithra has a human form - the form of a perfect human striving single-mindedly for the Good. As individuals we can encounter may different kinds of situations, and the best action to take will depend on our capabilities to act and the nature of the situation we face. Accordingly Mithra has many forms, many personalities, and many ways of acting. Yet Mithra will always come with the most helpful personality and perform the best actions for the situation at hand. THE GOOD ORDER ARTA is the concept of Good Order. Where there is Arta then the shape of the world is such as to produce the Good Life. Where there is Arta, then different things connect well together, and create the spark of life. Where there is Arta then the minds of the living beings relate with truth to the world they inhabit. Where there is Arta then the actions of the living beings are righteous and produce a good effect. ARTISTA means 'the best Arta'. Artista is the perfect order of things where there is the maximum flourishing of life, the maximum happiness, and the minimum of suffering. THE MITHRAIC SCRIPTURES The SCRIPTURA MITHRAICA is the Mithraic Bible. It consists of the writings which are considered the most important to give mental nourishment to followers of the religion. The Avesta - the traditional scripture of the Zoroastrians - forms the foundation of the Mithraica. To the Avesta are added many other writings. At present there is no definitive list as to what writings should be included in the Mithraica. One vision of the Mithraica sees it as composed of four parts - the Avesta, the Hellenica (Greek scriptures), the Parsica (Persian scriptures) and the Anglica (modern writings in English). THE DIVINE HEPTAD This is a still experimental expansion of the Godly Trinity into seven beings. These are: 1. ZURVAN 2. VAIUS (instigator of motion and change) 3. GAETA (the living world) 4. ARAMAZDA 5. VIRTUS (characteristically masculine powers) 6. ANITA (characteristically female powers) 7. MITHRA. MITHRAIC FESTIVALS Festivals that are currently suggested are: NOVALUX - ('New Light') Festival of new life - March 21st (Spring Equinox) ZARTINATUS - (Birth of Zartus (Zarathustra)) - Celebration of best mental ability - March 26th MAIAKANA - Festival of youth and untrammeled life - May 1st TIRIKANA - Summer Festival - Summer Solstice PAITISHAHEM (or another name) - Harvest Festival - Autumn Solstice MITRAKANA - ('Festival of Mithra') - Celebration of religious life and religious community - October 2nd ATARKANA - ('Fire Festival') - Celebration of the free human spirit, the fire within - November 5th. YALDA - Winter Festival including: Death of Mithra - 21st December Rebirth of Mithra - 25th December Marcus Zartianus November 4018 ME |