Book 1 — Chapter 13 — The Narrative concerning Abgar of Edessa
Eusebius closes Book I with the Edessene correspondence attributed to King Abgar and Yahushua, which he says he translated from Syriac records preserved in the archives of Edessa. In the first letter, Abgar, afflicted by illness, reports hearing of Yahushua's healings and asks him to come to Edessa, offering refuge from hostile opponents. The reply attributed to Yahushua blesses Abgar for believing without seeing, says the mission in Yehudah must first be completed, and promises that afterward a talmid will be sent. Eusebius then narrates the arrival of Addai/Thaddaeus after the resurrection, sent through Toma. Addai heals Abgar, proclaims the teaching, and addresses the city. Eusebius presents the documents as archival evidence and treats Edessa as an early center reached through an emissary linked to the apostolic circle. The account is important also for witness history: it entered Greek through Eusebius from a Syriac milieu, and its later elaborations should not be confused with the shorter form he actually transmits. END BOOK I