THE LEGEND OF ESHAB-I KEYF

We are 4 different countries from different geographies, cultures, as well as religions and sects. But look how some religious legends unite us at one point.

The legend of the "SEVEN SLEEPERS" (Ashab-ı Kehf), where all religions meet... This legendary cave which hosted the legend is located in the district of Tarsus in Mersin. We think you will be impressed deeply by this cave during your visit to Mersin.

It is natural that varying locations in the world make a claim to Ashab-ı Kehf or Eshab-ı Kehf, as the place that hosted the holy event. For both the Bible and the Koran include the Legend of Eshab-ı Kehf, who may be called briefly as the "Cave Friends".
Moreover, there is a section in the Holy Koran titled "Kehf" (Cave), which tells this event.

Thousands of tourists come to Mersin (Tarsus) every year. (because they want to visit  Ashab-ı Kehf)

Cave Of Seven Sleepers (Ashab-ı Kehf) (Tarsus/ Mersin)

                                                                                                                        Prepared by
                                                                                                        Çiğdem KINIK,Ayşegül ASAR                                                                                              

THE LEGEND OF ESHAB-I KEHF

                                 THE LEGEND OF ESHAB-I KEHF

Six young governors, three of whom are the right arm, and three of whom are the left arm of the Roman Emperor Dakyanus, oppose to the pagan king, and invite him to monotheism, to Jesus Christ's religion. The king gets angry and say them:

-“You either follow my way... Or die.”

Six young men leave the city, helplessly. The merciless king sends his soldiers behind them. And he orders:

-Kill them.

Looking for a place to hide on the mountain named Benculus, the young men come across a shepherd on the way. Their purpose is to ask where to go, to find somewhere to be sheltered. The shepherd adopts their view, too, and join them.

The names of the young:
Yemliha... Mekselina... Mislina... Mernuş... Debernuş...Şazenuş... and the shepherd Kefeştetayyuş.
But although they tell the same story, Christians list the names as follows: Malta... Malchus... Martianus...Dionysius... Joannes... Serapion, and Costantinus.

These seven young men and their dog are sheltered in a cave in the end. The cave has only one entry. When they enter, they become sleepy and go asleep.

Dakyanus's soldiers just go behind them into the cave, and seeing them asleep, they close the entry of the cave with stones, and leave them to death.

It is narrated that 7 young men slept there for 300 years (300 years according to the solar calendar, 309 years according to the lunar calendar).

But when the young men wake up, they think they have slept for just one day, and send Yemliha for shopping. When the young man gives the baker in the city the currency of the 3 hundred years ago, the truth comes out. The young man, who tries to shop giving the money 300 years beforehand, is arrested because he is thought to have found treasure. And then, he is questioned by the king of the time, and tells what they have experienced.

Following this, they come to the cave, and as soon as they enter the cave, all the Seven Sleepers become invisible, and the visitors just see a bird nest where there are seven baby birds. And thereon, this cave is called the "Cave of the Seven Sleepers".Meanwhile, the society and the king have adopted monotheism, and therefore the young become a legend.

                                                        Prepared by

                                                          Çiğdem KINIK, Ayşegül ASAR

St. Valentine's Day in Poland - 14th February

St. Valentine's Day celebrations are fairly new in the Polish culture. They started in the 1990s and have become very popular since that time. 

We wish you all a very Happy St. Valentine's Day.

Prepared by Dominika

Ash Wednesday in Poland - 13th February 2013

Ash Wednesday begins the period of Lent -  40 days of preparation for the biggest Christian celebration Easter.

On Ash Wedensday Christians fast, they cannot eat meat and they only eat one meal during the day. They go to churches and have ash placed on their foreheads.

While this is done the priest says one of the following words:

• Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return.
• Repent and believe in the Gospel

Prepared by Emilia

The last Thursday before Lent in Poland - 7th February 2013

The last Thursday before Lent is celebrated in Poland in a special way. 

It is a movable feast and it always falls on the last Thursday of Carnival, depending on the date of Easter. This year the last Thursday is on 7th February 2013.

Because Lent is a time of fasting and the next opportunity to feast would not be until Easter - it is a day dedicated to eating.

People meet in their homes or cafés and eat large quantities of sweets and cakes. 

The most popular dish served on that day are doughnuts filled with rose marmalade. 

Prepared by Klaudia

Anatolian Folk Song

"Ben Seni Sevduğumi" ( Turkish )
"Tin Patrida M'ehasa   (Pontic Greeks)

Greeks of Pontus and Turks lived together for ages in the Black Sea Region of Türkiye. This song tells us the greatest friendship between Turks and Greeks of Pontus . Listen and enjoy it.

Winter Holidays in Poland

Every school year after the first term Polish pupils have winter holidays. This year we have our holidays
from 28th January to 10th February 2013.
Each spends it differently, some with families or with friends, some spend their free time skating or enjoy making a snowman, and others who prefer more extreme sports can go to the mountains and try downhill skiing or climbing the mountains.

Prepared by Asia