memoirs of edessa and other ancient syriac documents
A Canticle of Mar Jacob the Teacher on Edessa
A Syriac hymn celebrating Edessa and the faith it received from the apostles.
A Letter of Mara, Son of Serapion
A father's letter from prison to his son, notable for its early mention of the wise king of the Jews.
Acts of Sharbil, Who Was a Priest of Idols, and Was Converted to the Confession of Christianity in Christ
The account of a pagan priest of Edessa who turned to Christ and gave his life for him.
Ambrose
An address to the Greeks preserved in Syriac under the name Ambrose, calling them from idols to the one God.
Bardesan. The Book of the Laws of Divers Countries
An early dialogue on fate and freedom, arguing from the varied customs of the nations.
Extracts from Various Books Concerning Abgar the King and Addæus the Apostle
Extracts gathering the traditions of King Abgar of Edessa and the apostle sent to him.
Homilies, Composed by Mar Jacob
Syriac verse homilies of Jacob of Serugh, on the fall of the idols and on Edessa's faith.
Martyrdom of Habib the Deacon
The account of a deacon of Edessa who was sought, found, and put to death for his faith.
Martyrdom of the Holy Confessors Shamuna, Guria, and Habib, from Simeon Metaphrastes
The joined story of three martyrs of Edessa, retold in the collection of Simeon Metaphrastes.
The Story Concerning the King of Edessa
The Syriac tradition of Abgar's letter to Christ and the reply he was said to receive.
The Teaching of Addæus the Apostle
The narrative of how the gospel came to Edessa through the apostle Addaeus.
The Teaching of Simon Cephas in the City of Rome
The Syriac tradition of Peter's preaching at Rome, and of the death he met there.
The Teaching of the Apostles
An early Syriac summary of apostolic teaching, worship, and the ordering of the churches.