Armenian King Abkar of Edessa (reign from 4 B.C.-AD 7 and AD 13-50) suffered from leprosy. Upon hearing of Christ’s miracles, he sent an artist to Palestine to paint Christ’s portrait. Dazzled by the radiance of Christ’s face, the artist was unable to paint. Christ washed His and dried it on a towel which retained an impression of His features. When it was presented to Abkar, he was cured.  The Holy Towel was rescued from the Muslim-controlled Edessa by Emperor Constantine VI (reign 780-97). The Holy Towel could reproduce itself when placed in contact with another piece of cloth thus a number of Holy Towels came into being.

Armenian King Abkar of Edessa (reign from 4 B.C.-AD 7 and AD 13-50) suffered from leprosy. Upon hearing of Christ’s miracles, he sent an artist to Palestine to paint Christ’s portrait. Dazzled by the radiance of Christ’s face, the artist was unable to paint. Christ washed His and dried it on a towel which retained an impression of His features. When it was presented to Abkar, he was cured.  The Holy Towel was rescued from the Muslim-controlled Edessa by Emperor Constantine VI (reign 780-97). The Holy Towel could reproduce itself when placed in contact with another piece of cloth thus a number of Holy Towels came into being.