Apostle Judas Thaddeus (Guida)
Legend says that after the Ascension Judas Thaddeus was sent by the apostle Thomas to King Abdar of Odessa.  Then, after Pentecost and the apostle’s farewell, he preached in Syria and Mesopotamia with apostle Simon Helotes who taught first in Egypt.  From there he went to Persia, where both prophesy to the commander in chief of the king of Babylon, Baradach, that there will be victory and peace the following day.  Because their prophecy led to the infuriation of the magician and the priesthood, they were both killed.  Like Simon, Juda Thaddeus is revered on the same saint’s day (28th October).  They are called the two last of the messengers in the apostles sequence.  Both are considered brothers of Jacob the Younger, sons of Alphaeus and Maria Cleophas.  In the shrines of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, Judas is represented with Bible or scroll.  His surname is Lebbaeus, meaning courageous.  From the thirteenth century on, his mark is frequently the hatchet or halberd, also sword and stones (which killed his executioners).