LUX VERITAS

LUX VERITAS

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Apocrypha

The Doctrine of Addai

Tradition of Edessa

1 chapter · read and listen

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1

Reading note

An apocryphal or pseudepigraphal text — outside the canon of the Western churches, yet widely circulated among ancient Jews and Christians. English text: The Doctrine of Addai, the Apostle (London: Trübner, 1876), George Phillips, 1876 (public domain). Portuguese and Spanish: Lux Veritas translations from this edition.

Source: The Doctrine of Addai, the Apostle (London: Trübner, 1876), George Phillips (1876) · public domain

About this book: context, authorship and themes ↓

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Authorship, date, and setting

The Doctrine of Addai portrays the origin of Edessa's Christian community through correspondence between King Abgar and Jesus and Addai's mission after the resurrection. The story credits its record to Labubna, the king's scribe, but that is a claim within the narrative, not verified identification of its writer. Its Syriac form postdates the events it depicts: George Phillips's edition notes references to works and traditions later than Addai's supposed lifetime.

Structure of the single chapter in this edition

The local file presents the work as one long chapter without numbered internal divisions. It begins with Abgar's letter, Jesus' reply, and the portrait attributed to Hannan. Addai's arrival, healings, and public preaching in Edessa follow. The closing part tells of the community's organization, farewell instructions, and the royal officers' recording of events.

Themes and key passages

The messages link the city to Jesus before the missionary arrives; the healings lend credibility to his preaching before the king. Addai speaks to Jews and non-Jews assembled together, while his instructions to ministers stress care for the community. The portrait of Jesus distinguishes this version from the Abgar correspondence preserved by Eusebius.

Summary by parts

Opening: After hearing of Jesus' healings, Abgar writes to him. The reply promises a disciple; Hannan returns with the message and an image.

Middle: Addai reaches Edessa, heals the king, and addresses the city. The story links conversions and the abandonment of earlier cults to the growing community.

End: Addai instructs leaders, appoints successors, and dies. Within the narrative, Labubna and Hannan record and preserve the account.

Reception, canon, and manuscripts

Eusebius had already transmitted a version of Abgar's story, but Phillips notes differences from the Syriac Doctrine, including the portrait. In his 1876 edition Phillips described a complete Syriac manuscript then held in St Petersburg and an incomplete one in the British Museum. The work is an Edessan Christian tradition and does not belong to the New Testament canon.

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