08/08/2025
Feast of Mar Mari of Edesa
The Feast of Mar Mari, a prominent saint in Syriac Christian traditions, is celebrated on August 8th. He is also known as Mari of Edessa and is venerated in the Assyrian Church of the East, the Chaldean Catholic Church, and the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. He is considered one of the Seventy Disciples of Jesus and is known for his missionary work in Mesopotamia and Persia.
Mar Mari is traditionally believed to be a disciple of Addai of Edessa and is credited with spreading Christianity in Mesopotamia and Persia. Mar Mari was a disciple of Mar Addai of Edessa, who was one of the Seventy Apostles sent out by Christ. According to tradition, Mar Addai and mar Mari were responsible for carrying the first Icon of Christ, known as the “Mandylion,” which was the Face of Christ sent to heal the King or Edesa, King Abgar.
The "Anaphora of Mar Addai and Mari is one of the oldest Eucharistic prayers still in use, possibly dating back to the 2nd or 3rd century.
