King Abgar

Truly, Truly I say to you, there once was a king of the Armenians named Abgar, who lived in Edessa. He was a dedicated king who cared for his people. There was dancing and singing all throughout the kingdom, until one day the king became very sick. 

Doctors from all over the kingdom attempted to cure him, but no one could help heal the king from his skin disease. 

King Abgar still had hope! Far-far away in Jerusalem a man named Jesus was performing miracles. Believing that this man was the Son of God and the only one who could save him, with trust and joy King Abgar invited Jesus to his Kingdom! 

Although Jesus had to stay in Jerusalem, he did not only send King Abgar a letter assuring him that one of Jesus’ disciples would visit him, Jesus also sent the king a gift. An image of his face printed on a cloth, which we still have copies of today!

As promised, Jesus Christ’s apostle, Thaddeus, travelled all the way to Edessa! And in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Thaddeus healed King Abgar because the king believed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, without even seeing him! The whole kingdom rejoiced and praised God!

In his letter to the king, Jesus said, “Blessed are you who have believed, although you have not seen me.” Like, Abgar, the first Christian king, we should trust and believe in Jesus Christ and never doubt that he is always with us, even when we don’t see him. So, we too, should joyfully give glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages. Amen.