Zartian Mithraism

Zartian Mithraism (or sometimes Zartomithraism) is a new variety of the ancient Iranian religion of Mazdaism or Zoroastrianism founded by the teacher Zoroaster, hundreds of years before the Christian Era.

Zartian Mithraism is aimed particularly at a European audience, as it is Europeans who are suffering particularly from a lack of good religion in modern times. For whatever reason, our traditional religion of Christianity doesn't seem to be up to the challenge of helping us in our current predicament.

Zartus

Zartians regard the ancient religious philosopher best known as Zoroaster as the original founder of their religion. Zoroaster whose name is also written as Zarathustra or Zartus is believed to have lived about 1000BC in ancient Iran, although the exact date of his birth is much disputed.

Zartus set out his thoughts in a number of hymns we call the Zartigathas or Songs of Zoroaster. These form the foundation scripture of Zartianism, and can also be called the Gospel of Zoroaster.

Zartus was concerned with the question of Good and Evil in human affairs and how Mankind might bring about the Good Society marked by righteous order and human flourishing. The Good News that he brought is that the world works according to logical principles and that if we can master these principles with our minds then we will be able to speak the good words and take the right actions that are needed to overcome evil and bring about the best state of existence.

Ancient Enlightenment

Zoroaster set an example of enlightenment thinking - of seeking to use reason to tease out the principles behind existence so that we may influence it for the better.

This example spread out from Iran - Southwards to inspire the Vedanta philosophy of India, Eastwards to influence the foundation of Buddhism and Westwards to influence the thinking of the Greek philosophers. Zartians are particularly interested in the thinking of the Greeks such as Plato and Aristotle whose ideas have been of such influence on European and Christian thought.

Jesu-Christian Era

Zoroastrian ideas were mainstream in the Persian empire that bordered Palestine around the time of Jesus, and there was a strong Zoroastrian influence on the development of Christian doctrine.

Thus Zartians have an interest in the wisdom encapsulated in the Christian tradition, whether from the Bible, especially the New Testament, or other non-orthodox scriptures of the same era, or later writings by influential Christians.

NB Zartians consider Zoroaster as the philosophical founder of their tradition but we don't regard him as fully divine in the way that Jesus is regarded by many Christians, and we don't worship him in the same way. Zoroaster's role could perhaps be compared to that of John the Baptist in Christianity.

Chrestors

Chrestors are human 'saviours' of the world (in Persian 'saoshyant'). Chrestors are people who work to help the living world by taking on the nature of the divine Chrestus and profitably using the powers of the divine.

It is the first agenda or purpose of Zartians to become good chrestors. We struggle towards the Good. We seek to play our part in the healing of the world from its corruption. We seek to stand against all deviation from the path of truth and righteousness. We work to restore the world it to its pristine freshness. We push for the righteous order that brings the common flourishing.

Magtus and Chrestus

Magtus is 'the Mighty One', while Chrestus is 'the Good One'. Zartomithrites believe that to be good chrestors we need the assistance of both the Angels of Chrestus and Magtus. The Angel of Chrestus shows us how to be good people. However Zorochristians believe that the desire to be good is not sufficient to be an effective force for Good. We also require the right powers or capabilities to do the work that needs doing. The Angel of Magtus shows us how to grow and develop our strengths of 'head, heart and hand'.

Relationship to other religions

Zartomithrites, recognise a kinship with people in other religious tradition and seek friendly relations where possible. In Zartian Mithraism we believe that the nature of the world is potentially discoverable by all those who engage with it in the right way and knowledge of it, while often difficult to achieve, is not inherently limited to those reading a particular book, or born into a particular community. Those with a similar attitude in other traditions are most likely to be able to co-operate with us.

The Chalipa

A Chalipa ('four-footed' symbol) is distinctive of Mithraism. The symbol below is the main design used by Zartian Mithraists, but the colours used can vary.