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

1. Role of Women in the Formation of the Early Church: Thecla: A Case Study Jonathan LEE 10 November 2011

2. Outline Introduction Women in First Century Cultures Women and Luke Paul and Women Thecla

3. Women in First Century Cultures Women in Judaism Women in Hellenistic settings Women in Roman settings Source: Witherington, A. ed. Women and the Genesis of Christianity.

4. Women in Judaism • 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

5. Women in Hellenistic settings Diversified status as citizens, concubines and companions Larger degree of freedom Greater respects

6. Women in Roman Settings More exposure in social life Better education More political powers

7. Women and Luke • Birth narratives • Elizabeth and Mary • Ministry of Jesus • Resurrection Narratives • Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary • The Primitive Church Ananias and Sapphira Acts 17:4 & 12

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

9. Paul and Women • 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

10. Paul and Women • A wide variety of women • Various roles • Phoebe (Rom 16:1-16) of Cenchreae • Mary (Rom 16:6-7)

12. Paul and Thelca

14. Paul and Thecla 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

15. 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

17. The Acts of TheclaSource: Lost Scriptures strict asceticism/sexual renounciation circulated in late Second Century Thecla became an enormously important saint and object of devotion

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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.”

21. Thecla’s Response 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.

22. The Persecution of Thecla 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

23. 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

24. Alexander of Syrian 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

25. Thecla amidst the Wild Beasts 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.

26. Thecla 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

27. 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.

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

30. What is not known? 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

31. Legend of Thecla’Death 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

32. Legend of Thecla 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

33. Thecla and the Church Fathers 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

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

35. Severus of Antioch (6th century) 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)

36. Who was Thecla? 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

37. The Convent of St Thecla in Maalula,Syria

38. THE END St Thecla’s Catholic Church, Mt. Clements