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Abgar V of Edessa
The Legend of Abgar, King of Edessa
Abgar V Ouchama, king of Edessa (13 - 50 CE) is known for a significant legendary" role in the Shroud. Edessa was a cosmopolitan city in the early First Century (Jesus' lifetime); one of the cities were Christian communities developed early as they did in Antioch. Edessa was situated where the present city of Urfa in modern day Turkey is located, about 400 miles north of Jerusalem. Edessa, City of The Shroud's Journey: Edessa to Turin According to historians there was an ancient cloth said to bear an image of Jesus. It was variously known as 1) the Image of Edessa, 2) the Edessa Cloth 3) and later in the Byzantine era as the Holy Mandylion. Many historians are confident that this ancient linen cloth, which disappeared from the historical record during the sacking of Constantinople in 1204, by French knights of the Fourth Crusade, is the Shroud of Turin. Legend tells us that the cloth was brought to King Abgar by one of Jesus disciples known as Thaddeus Jude (Addai) or by the apostle Thomas. Historians know of this legend from Eusebius of Caesareas early fourth century Ecclesiastical History. Therein, there are references to a now lost document once in Edessas archives; a letter purportedly written by King Abgar and delivered to Jesus by an envoy named Ananias. Abgar supposedly asked Jesus to come to Edessa and to cure him of leprosy. Eusebius history reports that the Apostle Thomas did send Thaddeus Jude sometime after Jesus death and that Thomas founded a church in Edessa. Historians are critical of the legend since Eusebiuss history includes, as elements of the purported letter, references from the Gospels, which were written later. Additionally, it is believed, theological concepts in the referenced letter were developed later. It is important to note that Eusebius, himself, makes no mention of the cloth. "
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