TWO INTERESTING DOCUMENTS, RECOGNIZED AS AUTHENTIC, THAT BEAR UPON THE LIFE OF THE SAVIOUR.
The Greek Church preserves a very interesting tradition which seems to rest upon some evidence which many Biblical scholars accept as quite convincing. The tradition relates that while Christ was working His miracles in Palestine the report of His divine power spread throughout Asia Minor until it reached the ears of Abgar, the Prince of Edessa in Mesopotamia. Abgar was afflicted with leprosy; and at last, in his despair, he is said to have written a letter to Christ beseeching Him to journey to Edessa and heal the prince of his disease. To this appeal the legend says that Christ dictated a reply by the hand of St. Thomas the Apostle, and that after the crucifixion St. Thomas sent Thaddeus, one of the Seventy, to Edessa, where he cured Abgar, who, with all his subjects, became converted to Christianity.
The tradition is very old, and is believed among the Eastern Christians. It is first found recorded by the Greek writer, Eusebius, in his “Ecclesiastical History,” written about the year 330. Eusebius gives copies of both letters. It was not until the year 494 that the Roman Church declared the letter of Christ to be fictitious. The Greek Church has never made any such declaration. Among those scholars who have accepted the letters as authentic are Tillemont and the German theologian Welte. The following is a translation of the two documents:
ABGAR TO JESUS CHRIST.
“Abgar, Prince of Edessa, to Jesus, the merciful Saviour, who has appeared in the country of Jerusalem, greeting. I have been informed of the prodigies and cures wrought by you without the use of herbs or medicines, and by the efficacy of your words alone. I am told that you enable cripples to walk; that you force devils from the bodies possessed; that there is no disease, however incurable, which you do not heal; and that you restore the dead to life. These wonders convince me that you are some god descended from heaven, or that you are the Son of God. For this reason, I have taken the liberty of writing this letter to you, beseeching you to come to see me, and to cure me of the indisposition under which I have so long labored. I understand that the Jews persecute you, murmur at your miracles, and plan your destruction. I have here a beautiful and pleasant city which, though it be not very large, will be sufficient to supply you with every thing that is necessary.”
JESUS CHRIST TO ABGAR.
“You are happy, Abgar, thus to have believed in me without having seen me; for it is written of me, that they who shall see me will not believe in me, and that they who have never seen me shall believe and be saved. As to the desire you express in receiving a visit from me, I must tell you that all things for which I am come must be fulfilled in the country where I am. When this is done, I must return to Him who sent me. And when I am departed hence, I will send to you one of my disciples, who will cure you of the disease of which you complain, and give life to you and to those that are with you.”
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