Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/151

 i06 HISTORY OF ARMENIA.

wished for an opportunity to present the letter of Abgar to Christ, but not presuming to approach him, they applied to Philip, one of his apostles, and said, '' we wish to see Jiesus and dieliver a message to him.'* Philip thereupon called Andrew, and informed him of the desires of the messengers, and they both then went to Jesus to acquaint him with the object of the messengers' visit. Jesus testified much joy at the contents of Abgar*s letter, and he directed the Apostte Thomas to write a reply to it, dictated from our Lord's own mouth. In this letter our Saviour says, " when I shall rise to my glory, I will send you one of my dis- ciples, who shall remove your pains, and give life to you and those around you." It is related that as the painter before-mentioned was en- deavouring to take the features of our Lord, Christ took a handkerchief, and passing it over his sacred face, miraculouly impressed on it an admirable likeness of his countenance, and giving it to Ananey the courier, desired him to take it to his master, as a reward for bis faith. Abgar on receiving the letter and por- trait worshipped the sacred semblance of our Blessed Redeemer, and ordering them to be preserved with great care, waited the fulfilment of our Lord's promise. After the ascension of Christ, Thomas the Apostle, according to the desire of Jesus, sent Thaddeus, one of

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