Thaddeus the Apostle
Who was Thaddeus the Apostle?
Thaddeus, also known as Jude or Judas son of James (not Judas Iscariot), was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is listed among the apostles in the Gospels. (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:16) He was among the twelve who witnessed first hand the life, teaching and miracles of Jesus during his earthly ministry. He is also listed among the disciples who waited in the upper room at Pentecost (Acts 1:13).
Significant Characteristics
Thaddeus is one who may be considered to be deeply dedicated to the message of Jesus Christ. In John 14:22, he asks Jesus a question during the Last Supper: “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?” This question shows his concern for how Jesus’ message would be revealed, expressing a desire for all people to experience the truth.
Contributions to the Church
Missionary Work: Tradition holds that after Pentecost, Thaddeus traveled as a missionary to various regions. Some sources suggest he preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Mesopotamia, Syria and Armenia.
He is often linked to the establishment of Christianity in the region of Armenia alongside the apostle, Bartholomew. These two apostles are traditionally recognized as the founders of the Armenian Church. Thaddeus and Bartholomew are honored as the “First Enlighteners” of Armenia, and their evangelism contributed to Armenia becoming the first nation to officially adopt Christianity as its state religion in AD 301 under King Tiridates III.
Martyrdom
Tradition varies on the exact details of the martyrdom of Thaddeus, but the most common accounts indicate that he was martyred for his faith in Persia (modern-day Iran) around AD 65. Some traditions hold that he was beaten to death with a club, while others suggest he was crucified or killed with an ax.
Testimony & Legacy
Thaddeus’ life is a testimony of one who believed in the message of Jesus, was eager for this truth to be experienced by others, and was willing to carry it to far away regions, and eventually yielded his life to be martyred for his steadfast commitment to Jesus.
