Kellef's history
.jpeg)
A Glimpse of Kellef
The village of "Kellef" is located 60 km northeast of the city of "Mardin" on the old road between "Mardin" and "Cizre". The village has one of the most beautiful landscapes in the entire area and is also called "Turabdin's Paradise". Kellef is one of the oldest villages in "Turabdin". The village was founded by the Arameans and is the first village in the area to convert to Christianity.
Historical Connections and People
The nearby village of "Kellef" was "Qaloq" which was located between "Savur" and the village of "Kellef". From this village later arose the first connection with Rome which was established by the deacon Abd an-Nur from "Qaloq" during his journey to Rome in the second half of the 16th century. It was also here that Bishop Mor Philoxenos Yohanun Dolabani was born. The village of "Qaloq" was destroyed during the First World War. In 1715 Bishop Saliba from "Kellef" also wrote a church history.
"Meshte" which is located 3 km from "Kellef" was once a large village and the ruins and caves are still preserved to our time. It was from this village that Mor Shem´un emigrated and built the historic and famous monastery Mor Gabriel outside Midyat.
Destruction under the Mongols
All these villages were destroyed and razed to the ground during the Mongol era in the 14th century by Timur Lenk. Those who survived from these villages were not many. This time was the greatest genocide that the Syrians had experienced in the area. Timur Lenk destroyed all the churches and monasteries that were located in the area and murdered hundreds of bishops, priests, nuns and thousands of residents. Among the monasteries that were destroyed were also Mor Abay and Mor Shabai.
Kellef's Lush Land and Village
Kellef is located in the middle of grain and wine fields. The fields are lush and the houses are clean and in good condition. The valley where Kellef is located is beautifully situated and is the most fertile area. There were also trade relations with neighboring countries. Numerous trees that grew along the water were cut down and floated as building material downstream on the Tigris River to Mosul in Iraq. The village is located in a valley where poplars, fruit trees and vegetables are grown. Grapes are grown along the slopes. The Qoros mountain, which divides western Turabdin, reaches a height of 1,500 meters here.
Monastery of Mor Abay
2 km northwest of the village is the monastery of "Mor Abay", known in church history. According to tradition, St. Abay, who was originally from Persia, was killed in the village in 360 together with two monks by his own father. This was as a consequence of his conversion to Christianity. After murdering his son, the father returned to Persia where he then became seriously ill. It was a skin disease. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to his wife while she was sleeping and told her that your husband must go to the village of "Kellef" where he killed their son and anoint his body with the earth where his son's blood was shed. Only then will he recover. The king then went back to the village and did as the angel had told his wife. After returning home, he recovered and then converted to Christianity and then built the monastery of Mor Abay.
Monastery Vadja´ El-ros
The monastery "Vadja´ El-ros" is located above "Mor Abay". It was built by Mor Theodute who was from the monastery in "Qenneshrin". He built it at the end of the 7th century. Mor Theodute wandered around Mesopotamia and built monasteries and churches. Finally he became bishop in the city of "Mardin". When he became ill, he moved to the village of "Kellef" and built the monastery "Vadja´ El-ros". Anyone with migraine who seeks this monastery with strong faith is cured.
Mother Dimet and the Healing Tradition
På den tiden levde i "Kellef" (som i historien är känd som "Cyrrhe" och "Killis") den persiske läkaren "Dometius". Efter att ha blivit kristen blev han i den inhemska traditionen känd som undergörare. Åt honom helgades klostret "Mor Dimet". Mor Dimet var en härskare som förföljde kristna och dödade dem. En gång när han låg och sov uppenbarade sig en ängel för honom och befallde att han skulle upphöra med att förfölja kristna. Ängeln straffade "Dometius" med sjukdomen reumatism. Efter det ångrade han sig och nästa dag red han till de kristna byarna och i en av byarna träffade han en munk som undervisade honom och sedan konverterade han till kristendomen. Han levde i kloster i många år och undervisade den kristna läran i området. Senare uppenbarade sig ängeln igen för "Dometius" och berättade att han skulle bli en undergörare och bota alla slags sjukdomar, särskilt sjukdomen reumatism. Efter det begav sig "Dometius" runt i området och botade sjuka. Till slut bosatte sig "Mor Dimet" (som han senare kom att kallas) i byn "Kellef" där han även dog. Åt honom helgades klostret "Mor Dimet", som ligger 2 km utanför "Kellef". "Mor Dimet" klostret kallas även för "Deyr deyr rih" på arabiska. Efter hans död besöktes hans grav av flera människor varje år från grannbyarna. Alla sjuka som i tro besökte klostret återvände hem friska.
Contemporary Development
Like many other villages in Tur Abdin, Kellef has undergone major changes during the 20th century. Many of our residents have moved to Europe and other parts of the world, especially due to political instability and economic challenges. Today, there is a large Syrian diaspora from Tur Abdin in countries such as Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. Despite the distance, these communities maintain strong ties to their home villages and contribute to preserving our cultural heritage.
Recently, we have seen a welcome trend where many Syrians in the diaspora are returning to Kellef to restore old buildings, including churches and monasteries. This work helps us preserve our rich cultural heritage and historical identity. In addition, Kellef and other villages in Tur Abdin have begun to attract tourists who are interested in our history and culture. Visitors come to see our old churches, monasteries and to experience the unique Syrian culture.
Language and Culture
In Kellef, Arabic is the main language spoken, but many people also speak Turkish. We maintain many ancient traditions, including religious festivals, crafts and music. These traditions are an important part of our identity and cultural heritage.