Abstract:

In antiquity, Antioch was one of the most important civilization center in the Levant and also the Christianity was formed at that place for the first time. Before the Christianity, the beliefs pervaded in Antioch which were Paganism and Judaism. At that time the city was on the route from Anatolia to Middle East and also the region’s belief center (Paganism) in Daphne (Harbiye).The Prophet Jesus passed away in 33 A.D. thereafter between 35 and 45 A.D. the apostles Paul, Barnabas and Peter made a missionary journey to the city to encourage and strengthens the Christianity. With their efforts, a Christian community was established in Antioch and its converts were the first to be called the Christianity. As a result of the missionary services done by these saints they could congregate a mass which converted from Paganism to the Christianity. At that time Antioch was cultural, commercial and religious center of the Eastern Roman World. Thus, formed Christianity spreaded from Antioch to the Roman World rapidly. Antioch is al-qarya or the city mentioned in Qur’an Yasin Sura: 13-29. In Qur’an, Yasin Sura there was a Habib al-Najjar anecdote, which two apostles (rusul) were sent to the city, assisted by the third who was sent to assist for two apostles. However, at the end of Habib al-Najjar anecdote it was narrated that the man came from outskirt and called to monotheism his people. The inhabitants didn’t accept the new creed and admonished him to follow the apostles. Therefore he was killed and divine punishment was inflicted on the city. Otherwise, Habib al-Najjar anecdote in Qur’an was similar to the bible narrating how the apostles could form the Christianity in Antioch. The shared similarities were considered on a prefential basis in the article.

Keywords: