Bible Dictionaries

1910 New Catholic Dictionary

Thaddeus, Saint

(Addeus, or Thaddeus) Mentioned in the Syriac document, "Doctrine of Addai," as one of the 72 disciples of Christ, who preached at Edessa, converting King Abgar V and a great number of his people. The "Doctrine" is only a legend. No doubt there were Christians in Edessa before the end of the 2century but its first Christian king as Abgar IX (179-214). Feast, various dates.