Role of Women in the Formation of the Early Church: Thecla: A Case Study

Jonathan LEE10 November 2011

Introduction Women in First Century Cultures Women and Luke Paul and Women Thecla

Outline

Women in Judaism Women in Hellenistic settings Women in Roman settings

Women in First Century Cultures

Source: Witherington, A. ed. Women and the Genesis of Christianity.

The laws of inheritance, betrothal and divorce biased in men’s favour

Duties of women in the family Grinding flour, baking bread, washing clothes,

etc Spiritual importance

Women in Judaism

Diversified status as citizens, concubines and companions

Larger degree of freedom Greater respects

Women in Hellenistic settings

More exposure in social life Better education More political powers

Women in Roman Settings

Birth narratives Elizabeth and Mary

Ministry of Jesus Resurrection Narratives

Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary The Primitive Church

Ananias and SapphiraActs 17:4 & 12

Women and Luke

Mary, mother of John/Mark Lydia (Acts 16) Deaconesses Tabitha (Acts 9) Prophetesses (daughters of Philip) (Acts 21) Teachers (Priscilla/Aquila)

Prominent Women Converts

Euodia and Syntyche (Phil 4:2-3) They have laboured side by side with me in the

gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers

Paul and Women

A wide variety of women Various roles

Phoebe (Rom 16:1-16) of Cenchreae Mary (Rom 16:6-7)

Paul and Women

Paul and Thelca

Born 30AD, Iconium city Follower of Paul Young noble virgin Punished by her mother and fiance Travelled to Psidian Antioch with Paul Convicted of assaulting a nobleman and

punished to be eaten by wild beats Saved by miracles

Paul and Thecla

Called Apostle and protomartyr among women Equal to the apostles Ascetic role model for women Society of Saint Thecla of Iconium flourished at

Seleucia, Iconium and Nicomedia Feast – September 23 (Roman Catholic)

September 24 (Eastern Orthodox church) Patron Saint of Tarragona, Spain, Patron saint of computers

Thecla

strict asceticism/sexual renounciation circulated in late Second Century Thecla became an enormously important

saint and object of devotion

The Acts of TheclaSource: Lost Scriptures

Onescipherous of Iconium received Paul who travelled from Antioch

Thecla, daughter of Theocleia, engaged to Thamyrius

Listended to Paul’s teaching in the house by sitting next to the window for three full days without drinks or food

Theocleia and Thamyrius in deep mourning in response to Thecla’s attention to Paul

Paul was accused of depriving young men of their wives and virgins by teaching them of YOU WILL NOT BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD

UNLESS YOU REMAIN CHASTE, ABSTAIN FROM POLLUTING THE FLESH, AND GUARD YOUR CHASTITY

Thamyris instituted actions against Paul “He does not allow virgins to be married”

Paul’s defence “I am teaching that everyone must place their

hope in him.”

Came to Paul who was imprisoned through bribing the prison guards

Sitting at Paul’s feet, she heard about the majestic character of God

Amazed at Paul and did not answer the Governor’s question to her

The Governor flogged and cast out Paul, ordered Thecla to be burned at stake.

Thecla’s Response

Thecla was like a lamb in the wilderness, trying to catch a glimpse of Paul who departed into heaven

Thecla was naked and wood, hay were brought to her burning

Making the shape of the cross, she went up to the wood

The flames of the great fire did not touch her, rain and hailstones fell, distinguishing the fire

The Persecution of Thecla

Thecla then went to join Paul who was praying and fasting in an open tomb

Great love in the tomb, and everyone filled with joy

Thecla – “I will cut off my hair and follow you wherever you go.. Give me the seal in Christ and no temptation will touch me”

Paul took Thecla to Antioch

A powerful man Embraced Thecla in the street but Thecla

resisted Thecla grabbed Alexander, ripped his

mantle, pulled his crown Alexander brought her to the governor who

condemned Thecla to the wild beasts Tryphaena, a wealthy queen took care of

Thecla

Alexander of Syrian

Thecla sat on the lioness which licked her feet

The governor sent soldiers to bring Thecla who prayed for the queen’s child to survive

Thecla was then brought into the scene Lions and bears were cast in to attack her. A lioness ran up and lay down at her feet.

She tangled with another lion which attacked Thecla.

More wild beasts were cast in.

Thecla amidst the Wild Beasts

Thecla jumped into a large vat filled with water, shouting “In the name of Jesus Christ, on this final day I am baptized.”

A cloud of fire surrounded her and protected her from the beasts.

All the beasts were overcome with sleep The queen died and the governor called Thecla and

queried Thecla Thecla explained that she was a slave of the living God. The governor freed Thecla

Thecla

Thecla returned to Tryphaena and rested for eight days, Tryphaena’s female servants believed.

Thecla looked for Paul and she went on her journey with some young men and female servants to Myra to find Paul.

Paul took her hand and listened to her story. Paul told her to return to Iconium and preached the word of God.

Thecla then preached in Iconium.

A beautiful girl with good background Protects her virginity with all her strength Readiness for martyrdom Loves Paul passionately Speaks little and seldom popularity

Knowing Thecla

Her thoughts Her convictions Her relationship with God Not much of her words Not even her confession of faith Longest speech: answering the governor of

Antioch

What is not known?

Sources: not the Act of Thecla Old Thecla lived near Selucia Preaching and healing people coming to her Local physicians instituted wicked plans to

ruin her alleging that she performed with the help of Artems and virginity

Thecla prayed and a rock opened and she disappeared into the rock

Legend of Thecla’Death

One of the ten virgins participating in the banquet and glorifying virginity in the Symposium by Methodius of Olympus (311)

Thecla sang and led the choir to sing a hymn of thanks to Christ

Gregory of Nyssa told that Thecla destroyed her outward person and burned up all her carnal thoughts and desires

Legend of Thecla

Epiphanius of Salamis sets Thecla in a row with Elijah, John the Baptist and Mary

John Chrysostom admires Thecla as she gave her gold jewels to gain access to Paul

Theodore of Mopsuestia wrote a panegyric (a public speech of praise) to Thecla in 400

Ambrose mentioned Thecla several times and make her an example for all women

Jerome rejected the Act of Thecla as apocryphal Isidore of Pelusium (435) called Thecla the summit of all of

the women’s victories and exploits

Thecla and the Church Fathers

Text written between 444 and 474 Part I – the life of Thecla Part 2 – her miracles

Basil of Seleucia

Thecla became symbol of the Church in the homily written by the patriarch Severus of Antioch from the beginning of the sixth century (Syriac translation)

Severus of Antioch (6th century)

Moral Ideal (chastity, martyrdom, despisal of earthly goods)

A mouthpiece of orthodoxy

As symbol of the Church

Assimilated in herself some features of a pagan goddess

Who was Thecla?

The Convent of St Thecla in Maalula,Syria

THE END

St Thecla’s Catholic Church, Mt. Clements