Women in Early Christianity Women in Early

Women in Early Christianity

Women in Early Christianity l How do early Christian women compare/contrast with other women of antiquity? l Which women stood out in early Christian circles?

Women in Early Christianity n Women in Antiquity ¨ Patriarchal world ¨ Disappointment to parents ¨ Confined to household ¨ Had to obey husbands ¨ Religious roles in Greece and Rome Peplos Kore (ca. 530 BC)

Women in Early Christianity n Jesus and Women ¨ ¨ ¨ Acknowledged dignity of women Accepted female disciples Refused to give in to gender stereotypes Female disciples present at crucifixion Women were first witnesses of empty tomb (Mark 16: 1 -8) Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

Women in Early Christianity n Paul and Women ¨ ¨ ¨ Engaged women in theological discussion First European convert was Lydia (Acts 16) Numerous female colleagues (Romans 16) “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3: 28) Patriarchal restrictions too? Paul Speaking with Lydia, Philippi

Women in Early Christianity n Mary of Nazareth ¨ Jewess betrothed to Joseph ¨ Mother of Jesus ¨ Presence during Jesus’ Ministry ¨ Present in Jerusalem church

Women in Early Christianity n The Afterlife of Mary ¨ Died at Ephesus? Jerusalem? ¨ Protevangelium of James (ca. 150) ¨ “Perpetual virginity” ¨ Theotokos ¨ Dormition and Assumption Virgin and Child Enthroned (ca. 843 -867), Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

Women in Early Christianity House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus

Women in Early Christianity Prayer requests of the faithful, Ephesus

Women in Early Christianity

Women in Early Christianity n Mary Magdalene ¨ ¨ ¨ From Magdala, Galilee Cured of “demon possession” (Luke 8: 2) Disciple, supporter of Jesus First to see risen Jesus (John 20) “Apostle to the Apostles”

Women in Early Christianity Multiple Mary Magdalene myths!

Women in Early Christianity

Women in Early Christianity n Questions?

Women in Early Christianity n Primary Roles of Christian Women ¨ Widows ¨ Virgins ¨ Deaconesses

Women in Early Christianity n Martyrs and Virgin-martyrs

Women and Early Christianity n Agnes of Rome († ca. 304) ¨ Young adolescent ¨ Virgin ¨ Refused to marry pagan suitor ¨ Thrown to brothel, ultimately beheaded

Women and Early Christianity Sarcophagus of Agnes, Sant’Agnese fuori le Mura Skull of Agnes, Sant’Agnese in Agone, Rome

Women in Early Christianity n Paula (347 -404) and Julia Eustochium (369 -419) ¨ ¨ ¨ Patricians Jerome’s discipulae To Bethlehem monasteries, convents Learned Hebrew, Bible Both died before Jerome

Women in Early Christianity n Pulcheria Augusta (399 -453) Elder sister of Emperor Theodosius II ¨ Proclaimed Augusta (414) ¨ Influence waned when Theodosius married ¨ Later the wife of Marcian ¨

Women in Early Christianity n Pulcheria Augusta ¨ Virgin n Brought “ascetic spirit” to court Virginity respected by Marcian Devoted to Mary Generous to the Church ¨ Opposed Church’s “enemies” ¨

Women in Early Christianity n Questions?

Women in Early Christianity l How do early Christian women compare/contrast with other women of antiquity? l Which women stood out in early Christian circles?

Primary Source n The Passion of Perpetua and Felicity ¨ What kind of a source? ¨ Who was the author? Does that strike you as unusual? ¨ According to the author, what happened to her in North Africa? ¨ Do we see her femininity, prejudices of the time, showing up in the account?

Primary Source n “Life of Macrina” ¨ What kind of source? ¨ Who was the author? ¨ Who was Makrina, and what do we learn about her vision of the monastic life? ¨ How did she impact Basil, her mother Emmelia? ¨ What can we glean about her personality and intellect?