Does Zoroastrianism have sects and denominations?
Zoroastrianism had its sects, denominations and different schools of thought, especially during the tolerant periods of the Median, Achaemenian and Parthian empires (708 BCE to 224 CE) but they suffered a setback during the secular rule of the Sassanians (224-652 CE). The ruling school prevailed. It is this school that has survived with its beliefs, traditions and customs after the downfall of the Sassanian Empire to this day. There are three major denominations, the Shahenshahis of India known as Parsis, the Qadimis of Iran, and the Faslis. The main difference is the calendar issue. The Shahenshahis and the Qadimis use a non-intercalating calendar of 360 days. However, their New Years are one full month of 30 days apart. The Faslis have a perfect calendar of 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 45.5 seconds. The year begins on the first day of spring, on about 21 March. The Parsis have three sub-divisions of Traditionalists. They are the common faithful, the Ilm-e Khshnumists, and the Pa
