1. Thecla and the Virgin Martyrs

2. Thecla From apocryphal (outside the scriptures) books From apocryphal (outside the scriptures) books Extremely popular 2 nd century Syrian saint story (hagiography) Extremely popular 2 nd century Syrian saint story (hagiography) Tells us about what “ordinary” people valued Tells us about what “ordinary” people valued Later women call themselves “Thecla” Later women call themselves “Thecla” Still today there are churches dedicated to Thecla Still today there are churches dedicated to Thecla Images of Thecla Images of Thecla Virgin “martyr” Virgin “martyr” Friend of Paul Friend of Paul Bad family relations Bad family relations Apostle Apostle Full text Full text Full text Full text

3. Images of Thecla Virgin Virgin The way to be a disciple The way to be a disciple “Beatitudes” of Jesus (Luke 6) transformed here “Beatitudes” of Jesus (Luke 6) transformed here Put on trial for refusing marriage Put on trial for refusing marriage Martyr Martyr Mom calls for her to be burned at stake, but it rains Mom calls for her to be burned at stake, but it rains Later thrown to lions and bears, ravenous seals (!), bulls Later thrown to lions and bears, ravenous seals (!), bulls Friend of Paul Friend of Paul Very positive male-female partnership Very positive male-female partnership Reciprocal (she frees him, he’s the shepherd to her lamb) Reciprocal (she frees him, he’s the shepherd to her lamb) Apostle Apostle Thecla takes initiative: baptizes herself when Paul won’t do it Thecla takes initiative: baptizes herself when Paul won’t do it Preaches to crowds Preaches to crowds Dresses like a man Dresses like a man She declares her intent, then Paul commissions her to go out and preach She declares her intent, then Paul commissions her to go out and preach

4. Norris’s argument What is virginity, for her? What is virginity, for her? What is wrong with the typical definitions? What is wrong with the typical definitions? Can her definition work? Can her definition work? Do you agree, that stories of virgin martyrs can be important today? How? Do you agree, that stories of virgin martyrs can be important today? How? What do you make of the last story (girl in El Mozote massacre)? Is she a virgin martyr? If so, what might her story mean for us? What do you make of the last story (girl in El Mozote massacre)? Is she a virgin martyr? If so, what might her story mean for us?

5. For next time Why is women’s adornment (dress, cosmetics, jewelry) a matter of concern? Why is women’s adornment (dress, cosmetics, jewelry) a matter of concern? How/why are women connected with Eve? How/why are women connected with Eve?