Epistula Abgari cum Christi responso
Standard abbreviation: Ep. Chr. Abg.
Other titles: none
Clavis numbers: ECCA 489; CANT 88
VIAF: 180672735
Category: Epistles
Related literature: Acts of Mar Mari, Doctrine of Addai, Story of the Image of Edessa, Golden Legend 159
Status: in process by Greg Given
Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style):
1. SUMMARY
2. RESOURCES
2.1 Art and Iconography
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, lat. 2688 (see below) features a number of illuminations of key events in the story of the creation of the letters and image of Christ.
Three fourteenth-century plaques from Saint Bartolomeo degli Armeni depicting scenes of Abgar sending out Ananias, Ananias drawing Christ, and Jesus washing hands. Index of Medieval Art.
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
3.1 Manuscripts and Editions
3.1.1 Arabic
3.1.1.1 Arabic Script
Chicago, Columbia College Library (no further information provided)
Dublin, Trin. Col. Nr. 1514 (16th cent.) fols. unknown
Khinshārah (Lebanon), Ordre Basilien Choueirite, OBC 127, fols. 282v–283v (1916) ~ HMML
London, British Library, Add. 9965, fol. 33v
Mount Sinai, Monē tēs Hagias Aikaterinēs, ar. 408 (1258), fols. unknown
Mount Sinai, Monē tēs Hagias Aikaterinēs, ar. 409 (1534), fols. unknown
Mount Sinai, Monē tēs Hagias Aikaterinēs, ar. 445, fols. 150r–162r (1233)
Mount Sinai, Monē tēs Hagias Aikaterinēs, ar. 485, fols. 53v–69r (13th cent.)
Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. ar. 51, fols. 57r–58v (17th cent.)
Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. ar. 174, fols. 24r–29r (1541)
Gottheil, R. J. H. “An Arabic Version of the Abgar-Legend.” Hebraica 7.4 (1891): 268–77 (text and English translation of the Columbia College Library manuscript).
Graf, Georg. Geschichte der Christlichen Arabischen Literatur. 5 vols. Rome: Vatican Apostolic Library, 1944–1953 (manuscripts listed, vol. 1, pp. 237–38).
Monferrer-Sala, Juan Pedro, and Amalia Zomeño. “Abgari regis fabulæ versio iuxta narrationem magnæ ecclesiæ Edessæ aedificationis (secundum Sinaiticum arabicum CDXLV, qui in Cœnobio Sanctæ Catalinæ asservatur).” Collectanea Christiana Orientalia 5 (2008): 147–181 (edition of Sinai ar. 455, pp. 165–72, with English translation, pp. 172–81).
Tixeront, Louis-Joseph. Les origines de l’église d’Édesse et la légende d’Abgar. Paris: Maisonneuve, 1888 (edition of Vat. ar. 51, pp. 197–99, and French translation, pp. 200–201).
3.1.1.2 Garšūnī Script
Beirut, Bibliothèque Orientale de l’Université Saint Joseph, 563, fols. 63r–63v (1897)
Cambridge Add. ms. 2881, fols. 158v–160r (1484)
Cambridge Add. ms. 2885, fols. 72v–73v (1771)
3.1.2 Armenian
Yerevan, Matenadaran, 3854, fols. 80v–88v (1471) ~ combination of traditions about the Epistles, Addai, and the Legend of the Thirty Pieces of Silver
Yerevan, Matenadaran, 7993, fols. 152v–153v (1692) ~ as above
Outtier, Bernard, ed. and trans. “Une forme enrichie de la Légende d’Abgar en arménien.” In Apocryphes arménians: transmission–traduction–creation–iconographie; Acts du colloque international sur la littérature apocryphe en langue arménienne (Genève, 18–20 septembre 1997), edited by Valentina Calzolari Bouvier, Jean-Daniel Kaestli, and Bernard Outtier, 129–45. Lausanne: Éditions du Zébre, 1999 (edition and translation of the two Yerevan manuscripts).
Langlois, Victor, trans. Collection des historiens anciens et modernes de l’Arménie. Paris: Didot, 1867–1869. (1:317–25)
3.1.3 Coptic
Given, J. Gregory. “An Incipits Amulet Featuring Jesus’s Letter to Abgar.” JCoptS 19 (2017) 42–49.
———. “Utility and Variance in Late Antique Witnesses to the Abgar-Jesus Correspondence.” ARG 17 (2016) 187–222.
Giverson, Søren. “Ad Abgarum: The Sahidic Version of the Letter to Abgar on a Wooden Tablet.” AcOr 24 (1959) 71–82.
Blok, H. P. “Die koptischen Abgarbriefe des Leidener Museums.” AcOr 5 (1926–1927) 248–51.
3.1.4 Ethiopic
A EMML 2180, fols. 13r–15v (18th cent.)
B EMML 2050, fols. 86v–87v (19th cent.)
Haile, Getatchew, ed. and trans. “The Legend of Abgar in Ethiopic Tradition.” OCP 55 (1989): 375–410 (edition of the shorter version based on A and B, and the older version).
Grébaut, Sylvain. “Le relations entre Abgar et Jésus.” Revue de l’Orient Chrétien 21 (1918–1919): 73–91, 190–203 (longer version, pp. 73–87, with French translation, pp. 190–203; and Synaxary, pp. 88–91; French translation, pp. 253–55).
3.1.5 Greek
Frisk, Hjalmar. Papyrus grecs de la Bibliothèque Municipale de Gothembourg. (P. Got.). Göteborg: Elanders boktryckeri aktiebolag, 1929.
3.1.5.1 Papyri
Gothenburg, Universitetsbibliotek 21 IMAGES
P. Cair. 10736 + P. Oxf. Bodl. MS gr. th. b 1 (P) ~ CATALOG; Kyprianos
Nessana Papyrus
New York, Morgan Library and Museum, P. Colt. 7 ~ IMAGES
Youtie, Herbert C., ed. “A Gothenburg Papyrus and the Letter to Abgar.” HTR 23.4 (1930) 299–302.
Casson, Lionel, and Ernest L. Hettich, eds. Excavations at Nessana, vol. 2: Literary Papyri. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1950 (pp. 143–47).
3.1.5.2 Epistula Abgari (BHG 1704.I)
Milan, Biblioteca Ambrosiana, E 16 sup. (Martini-Bassi 273), fols. 60r–61v (13th cent.)
New York, Morgan Library and Museum, M499 + Chicago, University of Chicago Joseph Regenstein Library, 125 (14th cent.)
Lipsius, Richard A., ed. “Epistula Abgari.” Pages 279–83 in vol. 1 of Acta Apostolorum Apocrypha. Edited by Maximilien Bonnet and Richard A. Lipsius. 2 vols. in 3. Leipzig: H. Mendelssohn, 1891–1903. Repr. Hildesheim: Olms, 1972.
3.1.6 Latin
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, lat. 2688, fols. 65r–93v (15th cent.) ~ followed by the Historia de sudario domini (fols. 94r–97r); lavishly illuminated
3.1.7 Middle Irish
Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 23 P 16 (the Leabhar Breac), p. 147a (1408–1411)
3.1.8 Syriac
Cambridge (Mass.), Harvard University, Syr. 151
Paris, BNF Syr. 56
Bedjan, P. (ed.), Acta Martyrum et Sanctorum: Tomus Primus, vol. 1, 7 vol. Leipzig: Otto Harrassowitz, 1890. (p. 47)
Hall, I. H. “Syriac Version of the Epistle of King Abgar to Jesus.” Hebraica 1 (1885): 232–35.
Tixeront, L. J. Les Origines de l’Église d’Édesse et la légende d’Abgar. Étude critique suivie de deux textes orientaux inédits. Paris: Maissonneuve, 1888. (edition of Paris BnF syr. 56).
Torrey, C. C. “A Syriac Parchment from Edessa of the Year 243 A.D.” ZS 10 (1935) 32–45.
3.2 Inscriptions
3.2.1 Alkat-Hadji-Kevi (Pontus): fragmentary fourth-century inscription of the correspondence on a fountain. Includes the promise of divine protection.
Cumont, Franz, ed. “Nouvelles inscriptions du Pont.” REG 15 (1902): 311–15 (Greek text of the inscription with reconstruction).
Illert, Martin. Doctrina Addai. De imagine Edessena / Die Abgarlegende. Das Christusbild von Edessa. Fontes Christiani 45. Turnhout: Brepols, 2007 (reconstructed text with German translation, pp. 178–79).
3.2.2 Edessa: sixth-century inscription of Jesus’ reply found in the area known as the “Forty Caverns/Tombs.” Includes the promise of divine protection.
Nau, François, ed. “Une inscription grecque d’Édesse. La lettre de N.S.J.-C. à Abgar.” Revue de l’Orient Chrétien 21 (1918): 217–18 (Greek text of the inscription).
3.2.3 Gurdja (Çorum): fourth-century inscription found on the wall of a mosque. Includes the promise of divine protection.
Anderson, J. G. C., ed. “Pontica.” JHS 20 (1900): 151–58 (transcription of the inscription, pp. 156–58).
Illert, Martin, Doctrina Addai. De imagine Edessena / Die Abgarlegende. Das Christusbild von Edessa. Fontes Christiani 45. Turnhout: Brepols, 2007 (transcription with German translation, pp. 182–83).
3.2.4 Philippi: fifth-century inscription originally placed over the southeastern gate of the city. Includes the promise of divine protection.
Picard, Charles, ed. “Un texte nouveau de la correspondence entre Abgar d’Osroène et Jésus-Christ grave sur une porte de ville, à Philippes (Macédoine).” BCH 44 (1920): 41–69 (reconstructed text). No Illert?
3.2.5 Ephesus: fifth-century inscription found on the underside of a marble lintel above a courtyard entrance to a private home. Includes the promise of divine protection.
Illert, Martin, Doctrina Addai. De imagine Edessena / Die Abgarlegende. Das Christusbild von Edessa. Fontes Christiani 45. Turnhout: Brepols, 2007 (transcription with German translation, pp. —- ).
Wankel, Hermann, ed. Die Inschriften von Ephesos. Teil 1a Nr. 1–47 (Texte). Bonn: Habelt, 1979 (transcription of the inscription, pp. 285–91).
3.2.6 Ankara: fifth or sixth-century inscription with brief mention of the correspondence among other biblical figures praised for various virtues.
Elderen, Bastiaan Van, ed. “A New Inscription Relating to Christianity at Edessa.” CTJ 7.1 (1972): 5–14 (transcription).
Illert, Martin, Doctrina Addai. De imagine Edessena / Die Abgarlegende. Das Christusbild von Edessa. Fontes Christiani 45. Turnhout: Brepols, 2007 (transcription with German translation, pp. 47–48).
Mitchell, Stephen. “Notes and Studies No. 1: Inscriptions of Ancyra.” Anatolian Studies 27 (1977): 63–103 (transcription with reconstruction, pp. 93–96).
3.3.1 English
Monferrer-Sala, Juan Pedro, and Amalia Zomeño. “Abgari regis fabulæ versio iuxta narrationem magnæ ecclesiæ Edessæ aedificationis (secundum Sinaiticum arabicum CDXLV, qui in Cœnobio Sanctæ Catalinæ asservatur).” Collectanea Christiana Orientalia 5 (2008): 147–181 (edition of the Arabic text from Sinai ar. 455, pp. 165–72, with English translation, pp. 172–81).
3.4 General Works
Adler, William. “Jesus’s Letter to Abgar.” Pages 343–60 in Early New Testament Apocrypha. Edited by J. Christopher Edwards. Ancient Literature for New Testament Studies 9. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2022.
Drijvers, Han J.W. “Addai und Mani: Christentum und Manichäismus im dritten Jahrhundert in Syrien.” In Symposium Syriacum 1980: les contacts du monde syriaque avec les autres cultures (Goslar 7–11 September 1980), edited by René Lavenant, 171–85. Rome: Pontificum Institutum Studiorium Orientalium, 1983.
Karaulashvili, Irma. “The Date of the Epistula Abgari.” Apocrypha 13 (2002) 85–111.
Mirkovic, Alexander. Prelude to Constantine: The Abgar Tradition in Early Christianity. Studies in the Religion and History of Early Christianity 15. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 2004.
Palmer, Andrew. “King Abgar of Edessa, Eusebius and Constantine.” In The Sacred Centre as the Focus of Political Interest: Proceedings of the Symposium Held on the Occasion of the 375th Anniversary of the University of Groningen, 5–8 March 1989, edited by Hans Bakker, 3–29. Groninger: Egbert Forsten, 1992.
Polański, Tomasz. “Translation, Amplification, Paraphrase: Some Comments on the Syriac, Greek and Coptic Versions of the Abgar Letter.” Collectanea Christiana Orientalia 13 (2016) 159–210.