Saint Jude Thaddeus commemorated in Orthodox tradition

September 3 marks the feast day of Saint Jude Thaddeus, one of the Seventy Apostles. According to religious tradition, Thaddeus was baptized by John the Baptist before following Jesus Christ.

Following the Resurrection and Ascension, Thaddeus traveled to Edessa, his birthplace. There, he fulfilled a promise made to King Abgar, who had been partially healed of leprosy through a cloth bearing the image of Christ. Upon Thaddeus's arrival and the subsequent baptism of the King, Abgar was fully healed. This event led to the conversion of the citizens of Edessa, who abandoned idols for Christianity.

Thaddeus continued to preach the Gospel throughout Syria and Phoenicia, eventually passing away in the city of Virit in Phoenicia. Religious customs for this day suggest visiting a church to pray for the health of loved ones, with traditions holding that sincere prayer can protect families from illness and misfortune.