page_title: Acts of Narsai
section_title: Narrative overview
hierarchical_section_title: Acts of Narsai / Narrative overview
caption_attribution_description: Zoroastrian Eternal Flame at the Fire Temple in Yazd, Central Iran
context_page_description: The Acts of Narsai is a hagiographical text composed in the middle of the 5th century which pertains to the priest Narsai.
context_section_description: The text begins with the priest Narsai and his companion Shapur acquiring land and a land title in Rayy from the Zoroastrian convert Adarparwa to build a church. Adarparwa though is persuaded by the local mobad Adurboze to renounce the church Narsai had constructed, and instead, convert it into a Fire Temple. Adarparwa complies and converts the church into a temple while Narsai is absent, but upon his return, Narsai tosses the sacred items out and extinguishes the fire. This causes a crowd to form and Narsai is brought to Adurboze in Ctesiphon for interrogation; Adurboze requested Narsai to restore the temple but refuses. (Acts of Narsai, 173) Narsai was then ransomed but is later returned for interrogation by a marzban who was given orders from Yazdegerd I to release Narsai if Narsai denies his involvement with putting out the fire or is willing to replace it. Narsai acknowledges his involvement and refuses to apologize; Narsai is condemned to death. (Acts of Narsai, 175-6)
  Narsai is then escorted to the place of execution, but while being escorted, he passes by a monastery. There, monks offer him water but he refused, but Narsai requested that they pray for him instead. In his execution, a lictor who is a Christian apostate was supposed to execute Narsai but was struck down by God. Narsai though is eventually beheaded by a magian. (Acts of Narsai, 178-9) Narsai's head, blood, and body are then taken by Christians to be buried at a site built by Mar Marutha, bishop of Suf. The remains of Narsai are later taken by the author of the text and others to the place where Lawarne was martyred for the benefit and healing of the people, but also in concern that the magians would despoil the body during a new persecution. The text is concluded with a request from Christ, 'lord of the martyrs' to grant us an inheritance in the kingdom of heaven along side the martyrs 'who were crowned with his love'. (Acts of Narsai, 180)
caption: A burning fire in the Zoroastrian temple of Yazd, Iran.
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