Thaddeus of Edessa festival, and heard the preachings of John the Baptist (St. John the Forerunner). After being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, he remained in Palestine. He later met and became a follower of Jesus. He was chosen to be one of the seventy disciples, whom Jesus sent in pairs to preach in the cities and places. After Pentecost and the ascension of Jesus, Thaddeus started preaching the gospel in Mesopotamia, Syria and Persia. Thaddaeus ordained priests in Edessa, converted many to Christianity and built up the church there. He also went to Beirut to preach and founded
Messengers from John the Baptist Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." The "best manuscript authorities" state that John sent word δια των μαθητων αυτου, "dia tōn mathētōn autou", i.e. by means of his disciples, but δύο τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, "duo tōn mathētōn autou", meaning two of his disciples, appears in the Textus Receptus. Biblical commentator Marvin Vincent argues that "the correct reading is διά". Following this episode, Jesus begins to speak to the crowds about John the Baptist, according to the reports of and . Messengers from John the Baptist The messengers who came from John the Baptist