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Doctrine of Addai

The Doctrine of Addai (also known as the Acts of Addai) is a Syriac Christian text that narrates the mission of Thaddeus (Addai) to King Abgar of Edessa.|||Syriac manuscript (Add. 14,644, fol. 1a) in the British Library. Edited by George Phillips in 1876.|||Composed in Syriac in the 4th century CE or later.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||Presents the mission of Thaddeus to King Abgar, including the legend of the image of Edessa. Important for understanding the Christianization of Edessa and the development of the Abgar legend.|||Phillips, G. The Doctrine of Addai, the Apostle. Trübner, 1876.|||Desreumaux, A. Histoire du roi Abgar et de Jésus. Brepols, 1993.|||Doctrine of Addai — Syriac Studies|https://syriacstudies.com/|Phillips' edition and translation.;; Doctrine of Addai — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrine_of_Addai|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" And Abgar said, I have believed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom you preach." — Doctrine of Addai (paraphrase)

Collection: Other Ancient Religious Texts Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

Composed in Syriac in the 4th century CE or later.

Language & Manuscripts

Syriac manuscript (Add. 14,644, fol. 1a) in the British Library. Edited by George Phillips in 1876.

Why It Matters for Study

Presents the mission of Thaddeus to King Abgar, including the legend of the image of Edessa. Important for understanding the Christianization of Edessa and the development of the Abgar legend.

" And Abgar said, I have believed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom you preach." — Doctrine of Addai (paraphrase)

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " And Abgar said, I have believed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom you preach." — Doctrine of Addai (paraphrase) " And Abgar said, I have believed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom you preach." — Doctrine of Addai (paraphrase)

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Phillips, G. The Doctrine of Addai, the Apostle. Trübner, 1876.
Desreumaux, A. Histoire du roi Abgar et de Jésus. Brepols, 1993.
Doctrine of Addai — Syriac Studies|https://syriacstudies.com/|Phillips' edition and translation.;; Doctrine of Addai — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrine_of_Addai|Background and scholarly discussion.