A Famous Monastery in Egypt
There was a well-known monastery of dervishes in Egypt dedicated to a saint called Kederlee. According to the stories told by the dervishes, this saint was believed to be the same person as Saint George. The dervishes spoke about him with deep respect and honor, and many religious groups within the Ottoman world shared admiration for him.
The stories described Kederlee as a brave horseman and heroic protector who fought against dragons and dangerous creatures. Much like the legends surrounding Saint George in Christian tradition, he was seen as a defender of good people against evil and harm.
Even after his death, the dervishes believed that God had granted him special powers to continue helping people in times of danger and suffering Istanbul Tour Guide.
Protector of Travelers and Sailors
The followers of Kederlee believed that he especially protected travelers and sailors who were in danger at sea. Whenever ships faced storms or the threat of shipwreck, people prayed for his assistance.
According to the stories, Kederlee could travel with miraculous speed from one part of the world to another in only a moment. The dervishes claimed that he appeared suddenly to rescue those who sincerely called upon him during moments of fear and desperation.
These beliefs made him one of the most beloved spiritual protectors among many ordinary people.
Powers Over Serpents and Poisonous Creatures
The Egyptian dervishes also claimed to possess special powers received through the blessing of Kederlee. They believed they could charm snakes, serpents, and other poisonous creatures without fear of injury.
According to these accounts, the dervishes handled dangerous snakes as calmly and easily as ordinary people handle harmless domestic animals. Some were said to gather large numbers of serpents into bags and separate them with their bare hands without being bitten.
Others supposedly had the ability to stop snakes from moving simply by speaking certain words or charms. Along the banks of the Nile River, these men were believed to control poisonous animals through inherited spiritual gifts.
Some claimed these powers were passed down naturally from parents to children, while others believed such abilities were rewards given by God because of holiness, virtue, and spiritual devotion.
Sacred Animals and Religious Legends
These Egyptian dervishes also honored the horse of Saint George and believed it held a sacred place in Paradise. Among the Turks, several animals were treated with special respect because of their connection to holy figures and religious stories.
According to popular belief, these honored animals included:
The donkey upon which Christ rode
The camel of the Prophet Muhammad
The dog of the Seven Sleepers
The horse of Saint George
These traditions mixed religious legend, popular storytelling, and spiritual imagination. Such stories became an important part of folk religion and popular belief throughout the Ottoman world.