The Arab King Who Corresponded With Jesus

King Abgar V of Edessa was an Arab ruler who famously sought a divine audience. According to legend, he sent a letter to Jesus begging for a cure and an invitation to escape his local enemies.

This historical figure is best remembered for the supposed exchange of letters between him and Jesus. Ancient accounts suggest that in response to Abgar's plea, Jesus sent back a blessing and a promise that his city would remain unconquerable. Whether the correspondence was real or a pious invention remains a historical mystery. It transformed the city of Edessa into one of the earliest centers of Christianity in the ancient world.