Extraordinary Women: Thecla

This week we discover a saint who was one of the earliest women to be a Christian. Thecla is called ‘apostle and proto-martyr among women’ by the Episcopal lectionary, and by the Orthodox Church. Her feast is September 23.

Who was Thecla? Her story is found in the apocryphal book of the Acts of Paul and Thecla (c pre-190 CE). Versions have been found in Greek, Coptic, Armenian, and even Ethiopic translations. PBS Frontline has an English translation from the early 18^th Century, if you want to read it. Tertullian (a 2nd century Christian theologian) mentions the work, claiming it was a fabrication and not fact. He opposed its use, and was especially opposed to the idea of a woman preaching and baptizing.

The story of Thecla is similar to many other female Christian martyrs. (Her designation as proto-martyr indicates she is considered the earliest of these martyrs.) She was a young noblewoman from Iconium who heard Paul preach. She decided to embrace virginity and refused to marry her fiancé, Thamyris. Sentenced to be burned at the stake, the flames are extinguished by a storm and she joins Paul in his travels. At Antioch of Pisidia, she is attacked by a nobleman who tries to rape her. Thecla is put on trial for assault (!) and sentenced to being eaten by wild beasts. She is saved when the lionesses protect her from the male lions.

Thecla again joined Paul and at his urging preached the Gospel. She encouraged woman to live a life of chastity and faithfulness to God. Thecla eventually settled in a cave in Seleucia Cilicia for 72 years as healer. Women who wanted to emulate Thecla, especially in her empowerment of women to preach and baptize, emerged in Asia Minor and Egypt. These women lived as virgins or in monasteries, sometimes traveling together to tell the story of Thecla. They built a community that offered empowerment to women at a time when that was not the norm.

Even though she faced much opposition to her work, Thecla persevered. The Collect for her day says, “God of liberating power, you raised up your apostle Thecla, who allowed no obstacle or peril to inhibit her from bearing witness to new life in Jesus Christ: Empower courageous evangelists among us, that men and women everywhere may experience the freedom you offer; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

Sometimes we think that what we have to offer isn’t important to God or to the Kingdom. Thecla’s courage shows us that we can make a difference, in small and large ways. She was able to witness to God’s saving grace, in physical and spiritual ways, throughout her life. Her example inspired and empowered women to be strong and independent even after her death.

Does the story of Thecla have anything to teach 21^st Century women?
How are you called to witness to God’s love and faithfulness?

https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=323
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thecla
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Paul_and_Thecla