Thecla

Thecla 

from Praying with the Women of the Bible

by Bridget Mary Meehan

T he Acts of Paul and Thecla is one of the rare, second-

century texts of early Christianity from Asia Minor wherein a woman occupies the





central role. Some scholars believe it has a historical basis. Others think that originally it was an oral folk tale told by women storytellers that later was written down in a form that resembles the Hellenistic romance.1 This popular, apocryphal book was translated from the original Greek into Latin, Syrian, Armenian, Slavonic, and Arabic. It tells the exciting story of Thecla’s conversion by Saint Paul and recounts her courage throughout her various trials.2

Thecla convinces Paul to accept her as a missionary disciple and coworker. After Paul takes her with him to Antioch, a man named Alexander falls in love with her. When this occurs, Paul denies knowing Thecla and abandons her. Then, Alexander, assuming that he can have his way with her, attempts to rape her, but Thecla prevails. Later, Alexander accuses Thecla before the governor, and she is condemned to fight the wild beasts. When Alexander brings Thecla to the arena, a wealthy woman friend, Tryphaena, intercedes for divine protection for Thecla, and Alexander runs away in fear. Then the governor orders soldiers to take her to the arena, but the women maintain control, and Tryphaena leads Thecla to the games. There Thecla is stripped and thrown into the arena with the wild beasts. The men in the crowd condemn Thecla, but the women condemn the city for its lawlessness. “But the women with their children cried out from above saying: ‘O God, an impious judgment is come to pass in this city!’ The women said: ‘May the city perish for this lawlessness!’”3

According to the story, a powerful lioness defends Thecla against a lion and a bear sent to devour her. The lioness dies trying to rescue Thecla. Then the women in the crowd take a courageous stance on her behalf. They throw perfumes and flowers and overwhelm the new beasts sent by the men. Finally, Tryphaena passes out in the arena. When this happens, Alexander fears retribution because Tryphaena is a relative of Caesar. At this time the governor summons Thecla and asks her to explain why the beasts have not killed her. She takes this opportunity to give him a mini-lesson in the Christian faith. The governor releases Thecla and “all the women” praise God, “who has delivered Thecla.”4

In her commentary on the text, Sheila E. McGinn observes that the Greco-Roman society of the day assumed that every woman must belong to a man:



[I]n the storyteller’s view, the rejection of Roman authority and a woman’s refusal of sexual activity are functionally equivalent and need not be distinguished…. God protects and delivers a woman who opposes the sex-role definitions of the city, showing God’s power over the culture as a whole. Female chastity and divine power are victorious over male law and aggression.5



The male/female tension is further explored when the lioness fights the bear and lion sent to kill Thecla. This demonstrates that female solidarity with Thecla and her message includes earth’s female creatures. Thecla’s faith overcomes any rift between women and the female animals (symbolized by the lioness). The lioness dies as a martyr fighting to save the human martyr, Thecla. The grief that the women (in the crowd) display for the lioness expresses this powerful solidarity.6

In addition to showing great courage and experiencing many miracles, Thecla baptizes herself. Many beasts were ready to attack Thecla “while she stood and stretched out her hands and prayed.” When she had finished her prayer, she turned and saw a great pit full of water, and said: “Now is the time for me to wash.” And she threw herself in, saying: “In the name of Jesus Christ I baptize myself on the last day!”7 The Acts of Thecla were a protest against the practice that only males could baptize, with the exception of women





deaconesses who assisted at baptisms in the East.8

Although there were restrictions on women teaching the Christian message at this time (cf. 1 Tm 2:11–12), Thecla breaks through this barrier and instructs converts at the request of Saint Paul.



So Thecla went in with her and rested in her house for eight days, instructing her in the word of God, so that the majority of the maidservants also believed, and there was great joy in the house…. And Thecla arose and said to Paul: “I am going to Iconium.” But Paul said: “Go and teach the word of God!”…After enlightening many with the word of God she slept with a noble sleep.9



The baptizing and teaching of Thecla became a model for Christian women, a fact attested to by the intense opposition of second-century writer Tertullian:



But the impudence of the woman who assumed the right to teach is evidently not going to abrogate to her the right to baptize as well…certain acts of Paul, which are falsely so named, claim the example of Thecla for allowing women to teach and to baptize…. How could we believe that Paul should give a female power to teach and to baptize, when he did not allow a woman even to learn by her own right?10



There is a major difference between the presentation of women and men in the Acts of

Thecla and that given in the Acts of Paul.

The redactor who included Thecla’s story in the Acts of Paul emphasized the importance of men, and especially of Paul. Women are subordinate to Paul; when they are important in the text, they either oppose Paul or are the channel for male resistance to him. In sum, according to the Acts of Paul, women are a threat to the Christian mission. In the Acts of Thecla, on the other hand, while portraying women and men as both involved in Christianity, it is women

who are the more faithful advocates. In this text, Paul is

depicted in a negative way. He betrays Thecla and leaves her to be devoured by wild beasts. At first, Paul even opposes Thecla’s baptism and teaching ministry. Yet God affirms her call through signs and miracles. Only then does Paul

support Thecla’s ministry. The Acts of Thecla reveals the

courage of a woman “apostle” who commits herself totally to proclaiming the gospel. Her fidelity to Christ is her strength in her great sufferings, including the threat of martyrdom. 11

By presenting a woman apostle, the Acts of Thecla stirs hope in women who are called to preach, teach, and live the fullness of their baptism today. This story reminds us to live in harmony with all earth’s creatures. The story of Thecla also reveals the overwhelming power of women’s solidarity—women supporting other women—to liberate, heal, and transform our world. In the end, no threat, harassment, attack can limit the possibilities or places that our dreams and divine love can take us together. “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus…” (Rom 8:38).





Reflection



“But the women were panic-stricken, and cried out before the judgment-seat: An evil judgment!… But the women with their children cried out from above, saying: ‘O God, an impious judgment is come to pass in this city!’…The women said: ‘May the city perish for this lawlessness! Slay us all, Proconsul! A bitter sight, an evil judgment!’… And the crowd of the women raised a great shout…. And the women mourned the more, since the lioness which helped her was dead…. But as other more terrible beasts were let loose, the women cried aloud, and some threw petals, others nard, others cassia, others amomum, so that there was an abundance of perfumes. And all the beasts let loose were overpowered as if by sleep, and did not touch her…. But all the women cried out with a loud voice, and, as with one mouth, gave praise to God, saying: ‘One is God, who has delivered Thecla!’ so that all the city was shaken by the sound.”12







Discussion Starters



1. “The men in the crowd condemned Thecla but the women condemned the city for its lawlessness.” According to the Acts of Paul, women were a threat to the Christian mission. The Acts of Thecla, on the other hand, portrays women as its more faithful advocates. What impact have these two different mind-sets had on attitudes toward women in the past? Have these attitudes changed in our times? Why? Why not?

2. Why is it important for women, and men, to live in harmony with earth’s creatures?

3. How can women expressing solidarity with other women make a difference in our society?

4. What threats, harassments, attacks do women experience today in living the Christian message?







Prayer Experience



1. Breathe slowly and deeply several times. Become aware of each breath as you inhale and exhale. Imagine each breath you take as filled with the infinite love of God for you… for all people…for all creation….

2. Read the reflection from Thecla slowly and thoughtfully.

3. Imagine that you are Thecla, naked, in the arena with the beasts…. The lioness is attacking the lion and the bear sent to devour you…. You look on in horror as she is torn to pieces…. Your friend Tryphaena faints…. Alexander, your accuser, flees…. The men in the crowd shout horrible words of condemnation…. The women in the crowd rise to your defense…. They throw flowers and perfume at the beasts…. Suddenly, the animals calm down and do not attempt to attack you…. Everyone in the crowd is shocked…. You are brought before the governor…. Now you are clothed…. He asks you to explain why the beasts have not killed you…. You share with him your love for Christ and your devotion to the gospel…. Then he releases you, and all the women praise God for your deliverance…. Now you join Tryphaena and your women supporters in a celebration…. You begin by expressing your gratitude to these women…. Then you go on to share your




innermost feelings about this powerful experience…. The women give you a symbol of their love and support for you…. You delight in their strength….

4. Reflect on women, like Thecla, who have the courage to fight sexual harassment, threats, discrimination in their lives….

5. Be aware of the hundreds of thousands of women who have suffered physical, emotional, and sexual abuse…torture…rape…and death…and/or who have lost spouses, children, family members because of human and civil rights violations in this century…. Mourn with them for their sufferings, losses, and pain….

6. Create a litany, prayer, poem, or a symbol to express your support for these courageous women…. And/or anoint one another with the oil of integrity, courage, and healing….



7. Take a walk…. Breathe deeply…. Look up at the sky…. Smile…. Hug a tree…. Pet an animal…. Contemplate earth’s creatures…. Celebrate your connectedness with creation in whatever way(s) feels most comfortable and fun for you….