Khoher El Yas or Saint George Statue

On the banks of the Tigris River, near the shrine of Khidr Elias in Baghdad, stands a beautiful ceramic statue in the form of a candle.

It was designed by Iraqi artist Saad Shakir, one of the country’s most prominent ceramicists, and completed in 1980 to depict a scene deeply familiar in the popular memory of Baghdad—when people used to light candles at sunset and cast them into the river, hoping for their wishes and prayers to come true. Over time, this statue became a visual symbol of a ritual that transcends religions and sects, where sensual beauty meets spiritual longing.

The statue draws its symbolism from its deep association with the figure of Al-Khidr, the “righteous servant” mentioned in the Quran in Surah Al-Kahf (verses 65–82), whom Prophet Moses encountered during his journey in search of knowledge. Together, they witnessed a series of mysterious events, whose wisdom became clear only at the end—such as scuttling a ship, killing a boy, and repairing a wall—after Al-Khidr explained his actions. This made Al-Khidr a figure surrounded by an aura of mystery and divine knowledge in Islamic consciousness. He is not explicitly called a prophet, but is described only as “a servant among Our servants, whom We had granted mercy from Us and taught knowledge from Our presence.”

Hence, he gained a special place in Sufi thought, where he is often regarded as a “living saint,” spiritually present in the lives of seekers, and is still invoked and celebrated through popular rituals.

In Iraq, there is the Feast of Khidr Elias, celebrated annually in February, recently included on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. During the feast, candles are lit and cast into the Tigris just like the old ritual, as wishes are made and people gather around the memory of Al-Khidr. It reshapes the relationship between people, water, and supplication in an emotional and communal context blending faith and nostalgia.

In Christian belief, the figure of Saint George (Mar Girgis) also stands out, a Roman soldier from the 3rd or 4th century AD, known for his unwavering faith despite persecution. He was martyred in Lydda, Palestine, and is revered by Christians across the East and West. His name is associated with the famous legend of “Saint George and the Dragon,” where he is portrayed as a hero defeating evil and saving a princess or people. He became a symbol of the intercessory saint and spiritual warrior.

There are many churches named after him in Iraq and the Levant, and he is celebrated on April 23. Despite the different origins, his symbolism has merged with that of Al-Khidr in the popular consciousness of regions like Iraq and the Levant, where shrines attributed to “Al-Khidr” are sometimes also considered shrines of “Saint George.” Both figures share themes of miraculous help, victory, and intercession.

In the Yazidi belief system, Khidr Elias holds a special spiritual status.

He is celebrated under the name “Khidr Elias Festival,” which falls on the first Thursday of February according to the Eastern calendar. It is preceded by three days of fasting. Rituals during this festival include drinking water on the eve of the celebration with the hope of seeing signs of one’s destiny in a dream, and preparing toasted flour and leaving it in a quiet place at night, hoping for Khidr Elias to visit and leave a “mark” behind.

He is considered by Yazidis to be a messenger or prophet. They believe in the transmigration of souls and associate his spirit with one of their saints known as Pirê Lêbna. Fasting for him is among the obligations of the Yazidi path, and he is seen as a symbol of nearness to God and purification from ego and desires.

Thus, this small statue near the shrine of Khidr Elias serves as a gateway to a grand vision where religious, artistic, and mythical symbols intersect.

Here, Al-Khidr and Saint George meet, prayer intertwines with legend, and shared rituals continue to bring together Muslims, Christians, and Yazidis in a living scene of Iraq’s collective religious memory. It resists fragmentation and declares: the river is one, the flame is one, and the wishes cast into the water never ask the sect of the one who cast them—but only about the sincerity of their heart.