Thaddeus of Edessa
Early Life
Thaddeus of Edessa, also known as Addai or Thaddaeus, was a disciple of Jesus Christ and is considered one of the seventy apostles in the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox traditions. He was born in Edessa, a city in upper Mesopotamia which is now modern-day Urfa, Turkey. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he was a Jewish man who lived during the first century AD.
Apostolic Calling
Thaddeus was called to be a disciple of Christ along with seventy others, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke (10:1-24). This group of disciples was sent out by Jesus to preach the good news and heal the sick in every town and place where He was about to go. Thaddeus, like the other disciples, was given power and authority over demons and diseases.
Mission in Edessa
Thaddeus is most known for his mission in Edessa. According to the Doctrine of Addai, a document of the early Christian church, Thaddeus was sent to Edessa by the Apostle Thomas to heal King Abgar V who had fallen ill. Upon his arrival, Thaddeus healed the king and preached the Gospel in Edessa, leading to the conversion of the king and many of his subjects.
Legacy
Thaddeus is revered as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Roman Catholic traditions. He is also recognized as one of the first great missionaries of the Christian faith, and his work in Edessa is considered instrumental in the spread of Christianity in the East. The Church of the East traces its apostolic succession back to Thaddeus and considers him a foundational figure in its history.