The Doctrine of Addai the Apostle

THE DOCTRINE OF ADDAI.

Tobias, son of Tobias the Jew, who was of Palestine. Through all the city a report was heard of him, and one of the nobles of Abgar whose name was Abdu, the son of Abdu, one of those who sat with bended knees original: ܟܪܝܟܘ (krikaw), meaning genuflexion or bending of the knees. before Abgar, went and said concerning Addai: behold, a messenger has come, and dwells here, he of whom Jesus sent to thee, “I send to Thee one of my disciples.” And when Abgar heard these words, and the mighty acts which Addai did, and the wonderful cures which he effected, he thought for certain in his mind: Truly this is he whom Jesus sent, saying, “When I have ascended to heaven I will send to thee one of my disciples, and he will cure thy disease.” And Abgar sent and called for Tobias, and said to him, I have heard that a certain powerful man has come, and dwells in thy house. Bring him up to me; a good hope of recovery through him has been found for me. Tobias went early on the next day and took Addai the Apostle, and brought him up to Abgar, Addai himself knowing that by the power of God he was sent to him. And when Addai came up and went to Abgar, his nobles standing with him, and in going towards him, a wonderful vision was seen by Abgar in the face of Addai. At the moment that Abgar saw the vision, he fell down and worshipped Addai. Great astonishment seized all those who were standing before him, for they saw not the vision which

Tobias: Moses of Chorene calls Tobias a "Jewish Prince," and says: "Who is said to be of the race of the Pakraduni." It appears, on the same authority, that he did not abjure Judaism with his relations, but followed its laws up to the time when he believed in Christ.

Abdu: Moses of Chorene says of Abdu that he was a "Prince of the city, highly honored in the whole house of the king."