Hom Yasht in Russian

The Hom Yasht has been transliterated and translated into Russian. Published by the St Petersburg Zoroastrian community, the work has been accomplished by its priest Mikhail Chistikov. Numbering less than 100, the group has established its own community center and undertaken the translation and transliteration of other parts of the Avesta as well, notes a letter from Burzin Atashband, a Zoroastrian priest serving the community in Tajikistan and the Ukraine.

Atashband has also forwarded a copy of Chistikov’s book to Parsiana. He notes that the transliteration is sourced from Karl Geldner’s rendition of the Avesta — Avesta die heiligen Bucha der Parsen — published in Stuttgart in the late 19th century. The simple and easy translation has been based on a number of other works, adds Atashband. General information on the Zoroastrian religion and Prophet Zarathushtra, the rituals and ceremonies connected to Hom and the medical benefits of Homa which Chistikov connects to the Ephedra family of plants, precede the translation. Also included are commentaries on the chapters.

"Chistikov also performs navjotes, jashans and other ceremonies. His dedication and love for Zoroastrianism is very deep. He writes many articles regarding Zoroastrian religion and astrology in the Russian journal Mithra and soon he will be publishing the entire Khordeh Avesta in the Russian text,” writes Atashband. "Chistikov was ordained as a priest by Pavel Globa who is responsible for the spread of Zoroastrianism in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries,” notes Atashband. He credits the Zoroastrians of Russia as being a very dedicated group who are trying their best to spread Zoroastrianism in the CIS countries.