Holy Apostle Thaddaeus

Life

One of the Seventy, and not that Thaddaeus who was one of the Twelve Apostles. Saint Thaddaeus first saw and heard John the Baptist, and received baptism from him, and after that he saw the Lord Jesus and followed Him. The Lord numbered him among the Seventy lesser Apostles, whom He sent two by two before His face (Luke 10:1). After His glorious Resurrection and Ascension, the Lord sent Thaddaeus to Edessa, the birthplace of Thaddaeus, in accordance with His promise to Prince Abgar, which the Lord gave him when He sent him the towel with His likeness upon it. By kissing that towel, Abgar was healed of leprosy, though not completely. A little leprosy still remained on his face. When Saint Thaddaeus appeared before Abgar, the prince received him with great joy. The Apostle of Christ taught him the true faith and then baptized him. When the baptized Abgar came up out of the water, the remainder of the leprosy fell from him, and he was made perfectly whole. Glorifying God, Prince Abgar desired that his people also come to know the true God and glorify Him. And the prince summoned all the citizens of Edessa before the holy Apostle Thaddaeus, that they might hear the preaching about Christ. Hearing the apostolic words and seeing their prince miraculously healed, the people cast aside their idols and their impure way of life, accepted the faith of Christ, and were baptized. And thus the city of Edessa was enlightened by the faith of Christ. Prince Abgar brought out much gold and offered it to the Apostle, but Thaddaeus said to him: "When we have left our own, how shall we accept what belongs to others?" And Saint Thaddaeus preached the Gospel throughout Syria and Phoenicia. He reposed in the Lord in the city of Berytus in Phoenicia.

From the Hymn of Praise

A candle burns and incense smells sweet,Abraamius prays both day and night,He loves his neighbors as himself.The dry body of holy Abraamius