Topical Encyclopedia
Abgar is a name associated with a series of kings who ruled the small kingdom of Osroene, with its capital at Edessa (modern-day Şanlıurfa, Turkey), during the first few centuries AD. The most notable of these rulers is Abgar V, also known as Abgar Ukkama or Abgar the Black, who is traditionally believed to have reigned from approximately AD 4 to AD 50. The historical and legendary accounts of Abgar V are intertwined with early Christian traditions, particularly concerning his purported correspondence with Jesus Christ.
Historical ContextOsroene was a small, semi-independent kingdom located in the region of Mesopotamia, strategically positioned between the Roman and Parthian Empires. The kingdom was known for its cultural and religious diversity, serving as a crossroads for various influences, including Hellenistic, Semitic, and later, Christian traditions.
Abgar V and ChristianityThe most famous tradition associated with Abgar V is the legend of his correspondence with Jesus. According to early Christian writings, particularly the "Doctrine of Addai" and the writings of Eusebius of Caesarea, Abgar V, suffering from an illness, wrote a letter to Jesus, acknowledging Him as the Son of God and requesting healing. In response, Jesus allegedly sent a letter back, promising that after His ascension, He would send one of His disciples to heal Abgar and bring salvation to his household.
Eusebius, in his "Ecclesiastical History" (Book I, Chapter 13), provides a detailed account of this correspondence, claiming to have seen the letters in the archives of Edessa. The authenticity of these letters has been a subject of debate among scholars, with many considering them apocryphal. Nevertheless, the account reflects the early spread of Christianity into the region and the interest of local rulers in the new faith.
The Conversion of EdessaThe tradition further holds that Thaddeus (Addai), one of the seventy disciples, was sent to Edessa after Jesus' ascension. Thaddeus is said to have healed Abgar and converted him and many of his subjects to Christianity, establishing Edessa as one of the first Christian states. This narrative underscores the significance of Edessa as a center of early Christianity and its role in the dissemination of the faith in the East.
LegacyThe Abgar legend has had a lasting impact on Christian tradition, particularly in the Syriac-speaking churches. The account of Abgar's conversion and the establishment of Christianity in Edessa is celebrated in various liturgical texts and has contributed to the city's reputation as a bastion of early Christian thought and culture.
While the historical accuracy of the Abgar-Jesus correspondence remains uncertain, the narrative highlights the early interactions between Christianity and the political entities of the Near East. The figure of Abgar V serves as a symbol of the early acceptance and spread of Christianity beyond the borders of the Roman Empire, illustrating the faith's appeal to diverse cultures and peoples.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ABGAR; ABGARUS; ABAGARUSab'-gar, ab-ga'-rus, a-bag'-a-rus (Abgaros): Written also Agbarus and Augarus. A king of Edessa. A name common to several kings (toparchs) of Edessa, Mesopotamia. One of these, Abgar, a son of Uchomo, the seventeenth (14th?) of twenty kings, according to the legend (Historia Ecclesiastica, i.13) sent a letter to Jesus, professing belief in His Messiahship and asking Him to come and heal him from an incurable disease (leprosy?), inviting Him at the same time to take refuge from His enemies in his city, "which is enough for us both." Jesus answering the letter blessed him, because he had believed on Him without having seen Him, and promised to send one of His disciples after He had risen from the dead. The apostle Thomas sent Judas Thaddeus, one of the Seventy, who healed him (Cod. Apocrypha New Testament).
A. L. Breslich
Library
Reign ofAbgar
... I. Reign ofAbgar. Reign ofAbgar; Armenia becomes completely tributary to the Romans;
war with Herod's troops; his brother's son, Joseph, is killed....
Reign of Sanadroug; Murder ofAbgar's Children; the Princess...
... Ancient Syriac Documents. Moses of Chorene. History of Armenia. X. Reign of
Sanadroug; murder ofAbgar's children; the princess Helena....
Answer toAbgar's Letter, which the Apostle Thomas Wrote to this...
... Moses of Chorene. History of Armenia. VII. Answer toAbgar's letter, which the
apostle Thomas wrote to this prince by command of the Saviour....
Abgar Sends Princes to Marinus; These Deputies See Our Saviour...
... Moses of Chorene. History of Armenia. V.Abgar sends princes to Marinus; these deputies
see our Saviour Christ; beginning of the conversion ofAbgar....
Abgar's Letter to the Saviour Jesus Christ.
... Ancient Syriac Documents. Moses of Chorene. History of Armenia. VI.Abgar's
letter to the Saviour Jesus Christ. "Abgar, son of Archam...
Abgar Returns from the East; He Gives Help to Aretas in a War...
... Ancient Syriac Documents. Moses of Chorene. History of Armenia. IV.Abgar returns
from the east; he gives help to Aretas in a war against Herod the Tetrarch....
Abgar Comes into the East, Maintains Ardaches Upon the Throne of...
...Abgar comes into the East, maintains Ardach??s upon the throne of Persia; reconciles
his brothers from whom our illuminator and his relations are descended....
Extracts from Various Books ConcerningAbgar the King and Add??us...
... Extracts from Various Books ConcerningAbgar the King and Add??us the Apostle. Extracts
from Various Books ConcerningAbgar the King and Add??us the Apostle....
Of the Blessed Add??us the Apostle. From his Teaching which He...
... BP Pratten, BA] I. Of the blessed Add??us the apostle. From his teaching which he
gave in Edessa beforeAbgar the King and the assembly of the city....
From the Departure of Marath Mary from the World, and the Birth...
... letters came fromAbgar, the king of the city of Edessa, to Sabina the procurator
[2954] who had been appointed by Tiberius the emperor, and as far as the...
Thesaurus
Abgar... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ABGAR; ABGARUS; ABAGARUS. ab'-gar, ab-ga'-rus,
a-bag'-a-rus (Abgaros): Written also Agbarus and Augarus. A king of Edessa.
...Thaddaeus (2 Occurrences)
... (4) TheAbgar legend, dealing with a supposed correspondence betweenAbgar, king
of Syria, and Christ, states in its Syriac form, as translated by Eusebius...
Abgarus
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaABGAR; ABGARUS; ABAGARUS. ab'-gar, ab-ga'-rus,
a-bag'-a-rus (Abgaros): Written also Agbarus and Augarus. A king of Edessa....
Abagarus
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaABGAR; ABGARUS; ABAGARUS. ab'-gar, ab-ga'-rus,
a-bag'-a-rus (Abgaros): Written also Agbarus and Augarus. A king of Edessa....
Epistles (2 Occurrences)
... the country had received the Gospel at a much earlier date. SeeABGAR. 2.
Letter Attributed to Peter: The Clementine Homilies is a...
Abez (1 Occurrence)
Syriac (2 Occurrences)
... That the tr of the Old Testament and New Testament was made in connection with the
visit of Thaddaeus toAbgar at Edessa belongs also to unreliable tradition....
Versions
... That the tr of the Old Testament and New Testament was made in connection with the
visit of Thaddaeus toAbgar at Edessa belongs also to unreliable tradition....
Apocryphal
... the country had received the Gospel at a much earlier date. SeeABGAR. 2.
Letter Attributed to Peter: The Clementine Homilies is a...
Resources
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