IMAGE: Tradition says the Mandylion -- literally, "holy towel" -- of Edessa is a painted image of


February 9, 2004 at 12:00a.m.


IMAGE: Tradition says the Mandylion -- literally, "holy towel" -- of Edessa is a painted image of Jesus that cured the king of Edessa. A dark-brown substance applied over the portrait makes it difficult to see the features.