The Mandylion (Image of Edessa) is a Christian relic believed to be a cloth bearing a miraculous image of Jesus’ face. It is the first ever icon of Christ in Orthodox tradition. According to tradition, King Abgar V of Edessa was suffering from a severe illness, probably leprosy. Hearing of the miracles of Jesus, Abgar sent a letter requesting either that Jesus come to Edessa to heal him or, if that were impossible, that a portrait of Him be brought instead. The messenger, Ananias, traveled to Judaea with this plea. When Ananias arrived, he found Jesus surrounded by a crowd and unable to approach. Attempting to draw Him from a distance on stone, he was called to Jesus, who asked for water, washed His face, and dried it with a cloth (called a Mandylion in Byzantine Greek). The cloth bore the imprint of Jesus’ face, an image “not made by human hands” (acheiropoietos). Along with the cloth, Jesus sent a letter declining the king’s invitation, but promising that after His resurrection, a disciple would come to Edessa to bring blessing. Ananias returned with the mandylion, and when King Abgar kissed the cloth, he was immediately healed, though a faint trace of his disease remained. Later, the Apostle Thaddaeus arrived, baptised Abgar, and completed his healing. The Orthodox Church commemorates the translation of the Mandylion from Edessa to Constantinople on 16th August.
This is my attempt at drawing the Mandylion. #all #art #scratch #christianity
