Edessa 'the Blessed City'

Abgar according Acts Addai already Antioch Apostle appears Arab Armenian army Assyria authority Baldwin became Beduins Bishop brought buildings built Byzantine called carried century Christian chronicler Church Citadel citizens commander death described Diatessaron died doubt early East Edessa Emperor Empire Ephraim Euphrates evidently forces gate give given Governor Greek hand Harran Hiba Hierapolis History holy inscription Jacob Jacobite Jesus Jews John king later legend letter lived maintained Melkite Mesopotamia monasteries Monophysites mosaic Moslem Nisibis pagan passed Patriarch perhaps period Persians persons portrait present priests probably received regarded region relates remained river Roman rule ruler sent shrine side soldiers statue stood story Syriac taken Thomas told tomb took town Urfa villages wall women writes