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Role of Women in the Formation of the Early Church: Thecla : A Case Study. Jonathan LEE 10 November 2011. Outline. Introduction Women in First Century Cultures Women and Luke Paul and Women Thecla. Women in First Century Cultures. Women in Judaism Women in Hellenistic settings - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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