Thecla and Medieval Sainthood: The Acts of Paul and Thecla in Eastern and Western Hagiography

Saint Thecla was a prominent figure in early Christianity, known for her virginity and role-modeling for women in the early Church. This volume explores how medieval hagiographical texts evoked and invoked her tale, constructing the lives and story worlds of their chosen saints. It adds further depth and nuance to our understanding of her popularity and the spread of her legend and cult.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 358 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Saint Thecla, a prominent figure in early Christianity, set an exceptional example of virginity and served as a role model for women within the early Church. Her remarkable story, recounted in the Acts of Paul and Thecla, left a lasting impact on subsequent hagiographies, influencing both female and male saints. This captivating volume delves into the profound influence of Thecla and her tale on medieval hagiographical texts written in Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopic, Greek, Irish, Latin, Persian, and Syriac. It examines how these texts evoked and/or invoked Thecla and her narrative in shaping the lives and story worlds of their chosen saints, providing detailed original readings of the lives of various heroines and heroes. By expanding our understanding of Thecla's popularity and the widespread dissemination of her legend and cult, this book adds significant depth and complexity to our knowledge of her enduring legacy.

ISBN-13: 9781009005050