A Common Value among Religions in Hatay: Ilyahu-han Nebi, Mar George (Corcus) and Khidr (El-Khidr) /Hatay’da Dinler Arası Ortak Değer: İlyahu-han Nebi, Mar George (Corcus) ve Hızır (El-Hıdır)

• Main Author: Aylin Eraslan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cyprus International University 2019-01-01
• Series: Folklor/Edebiyat
• Subjects: Khidr; Khidr belief; Antakya; three monotheistic religions
• Online Access: https://www.folkloredebiyat.org/Makaleler/2074165839_97-5-Hatay.pdf

This study focuses on the reflection of the Khidr belief, a shared value among religions, on three monotheistic religions. Our aim is to understand the main aspects of the “Khidr belief” which is a common and rooted belief in Antakya where the societies of the three monotheistic religions live and to identify the Khidr traditions which are established in relation with the Khidr belief. The field study was conducted on December 2016/ January 2017 in Antakya and Samandag Khidr belief has a deep-rooted history in Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities. According to some beliefs Khidr is a holy spirit and to others a prophet. But the common point of Khidr/Elijah or Mar Corcus in all beliefs is the belief that Khidr helps people in different ways (young, old etc.). Khidr belief is an important part of life which calms people down during crisis, impresses common sense upon people for the difficulties faced in the world that they live in, reinforces the feeling of being thankful etc. and ensures that people feel safe in this chaotic and insecure world. The calls “Ya İlyahu hannebi”, “Ya Mar Corcus”, “Ya Khidr”, “Ya Khidr-il Ahdar” which rise up to the sky are prayers for the Khidr to mediate between the God and human beings and to put things in order in state of emergency.