The Moabadan-Moabad, (Persian: موبدنموبد) meaning "high priest of high priests", is the head of state of the Zoroastrian Republic of Old Persia as well as the head of the Zoroastrian church. The authority of the Moabadan-Moabad derives from Reza Farrokhzad, successor to the Shahdom of Persia following the death of Kiaan Singh, declaring himself to be such. The current Moabadan-Moabad is Yousef Farrokhzade, succeeding Davoud Djalili. The Moabadan-Moabad is ex officio the head of state of the Zoroastrian Republic, and exercises principle legislative, executive and judicial power over the state. The position is elected by the Council of Dastur for life.
History[edit | edit source]
Title and Etymology[edit | edit source]
The word moabad derives from mobad or mobed, a Zoroastrian cleric permitted to serve as celebrant priest at the Yasna ceremony, unlike a herbad (ervad). Moabadan-Moabad is frequently translated as "priest of priests", though it more precisely indicates "high priest of high priests". The earliest recorded use is by Ardashir I of the Sassanian Empire, in 238 CE, when he declared Kevir (Kewir) to be the Moabadan-Moabad of his priesthood.
Position within the Church[edit | edit source]
Historically, the title of Moabadan-Moabad was a symbolic one; individual fire-temples and priesthoods regulated themselves. It denoted a level of influence with a ruler, particularly in the Sassanian Empire. Today, however, the Moabadan-Moabad exercises supreme power on spiritual matters.
Election and death[edit | edit source]
Election[edit | edit source]
Originally, the Moabadan-Moabad was appointed directly by the Shah (or Shahanshah) at their discretion. Typically, the position would be filled and once the Shah died, the position would empty again for years at a time. After the death of Reza Farrokhzad, the first Moabadan-Moabad of the Shahdom of Persia, the issue of succession was debated for a time, before the dastur of Tehran elected to fill the position with Aturfarnbag-i Pouran. Despite never filling the position of Shah, Pouran was able to hold that office ex officio. Pouran passed a decree that, after his death, the next Moabadan-Moabad would be elected by the now formed Council of Dastur.