A man killed by a knife with a cross-shaped hilt. A Bible with passages stained by a man’s blood. A journey into the depths of this land, from Istanbul to Anatolia, into the ancient temples of ancient faiths. A journey into Christianity’s roots in Anatolia and a paean to the vanishing cultures of a land that was once home to ancient tribes… The Assyrians, the Nusayris, the Greeks, Turks, Kurds and other peoples that turned this land into a country. A spellbinding novel that explores the rich tapestry of cultures that make up this country. A man killed by a knife with a cross-shaped hilt. A Bible with passages stained by a man’s blood. A journey into the depths of this land, from Istanbul to Anatolia, into the ancient temples of ancient faiths. A journey into Christianity’s roots in Anatolia and a paean to the vanishing cultures of a land that was once home to ancient tribes… The Assyrians, the Nusayris, the Greeks, Turks, Kurds and other peoples that turned this land into a country. A spellbinding novel that explores the rich tapestry of cultures that make up this country. “Mor Gabriel,” he murmured. The figure drew closer, and as it approached, it assumed human form. A person in black. A person who came up to him and whispered in his ear: “Do you know me?” “Mor Gabriel,” he murmured again. As the name Mor Gabriel spilled from his mouth, he heard music: Liturgical music coming from deep, deep within. A mumble of recurring passion in a language he didn't know, the rhyme of a person in raptures. Just then he noticed the cross. A cross of silver. As he tried to discern whether the man carried it in his hand or on his chest, a flash of light split the emptiness in two. He felt a stab of pain. The light flashed again, the pain disappeared and relief spread throughout his entire body.”