Acts of Paul and Thecla 10

1But Paul was greatly surprised when he saw her and the people with her, for he thought that some new trial was coming upon them.

2When Thecla realized this, she said to him, “I have been baptized, O Paul, for he who assists you in preaching has assisted me to baptize.”

3Then Paul took her and led her to the house of Hermes. Thecla told Paul everything that had happened to her in Antioch, so that Paul was exceedingly amazed, and all who heard were strengthened in the faith and prayed for Trifina’s happiness.

4Then Thecla arose and said to Paul, “I am going to Iconium.” Paul replied to her, “Go and teach the word of the Lord.”

5But Trifina had sent large sums of money to Paul, as well as clothing by the hands of Thecla, for the relief of the poor.

6So Thecla went to Iconium. When she came to the house of Onesiphorus, she fell to the floor where Paul had sat and preached. Mingling her tears with her prayers, she praised and glorified God with these words:

7“O Lord, the God of this house, in which I was first enlightened by you; O Jesus, Son of the living God, who were my helper before the governor, my helper in the fire, and my helper among the beasts—you alone are God forever and ever. Amen.”

8On her return, Thecla found Thamyris dead, but her mother still living. So she called her mother and said to her, “Theoclia, my mother, is it possible for you to be brought to believe that there is only one Lord God, who dwells in the heavens? If you desire great riches, God will give them to you through me. If you want your daughter again, here I am.”

9She presented these and many other things to her mother, [endeavouring] to persuade her [to her opinion]. But her mother, Theoclia, gave no credence to the things spoken by the martyr Thecla.

10When Thecla realized that she was speaking to no purpose, she marked her whole body with the sign [of the cross], left the house, and went to Daphine. When she arrived there, she went to the cave where she had found Paul with Onesiphorus, fell to the ground, and wept before God.

11After leaving there, she went to Seleucia and enlightened many in the knowledge of Christ.

12And a bright cloud guided her on her journey.

13After she arrived at Seleucia, she went to a place outside the city, about a furlong away, because she was afraid of the inhabitants, since they were worshipers of idols.

14And she was led [by the cloud] to a mountain called Calamon, or Rodeon. She remained there for many years and endured a great many grievous temptations from the devil. Through the assistance she received from Christ, she bore them in a fitting manner.

15At last, certain gentlewomen heard about the virgin Thecla and went to her. They were instructed by her in the oracles of God, and many of them abandoned this world and led a monastic life with her.

16In this way, a good report about Thecla spread everywhere, and she performed several [miraculous] cures. As a result, people from the whole city and the surrounding regions brought their sick to that mountain. Before they came as far as the door of the cave, they were instantly cured of whatever illness they had.

17The unclean spirits were cast out, making a noise. All received their sick restored to health and glorified God, who had bestowed such power on the virgin Thecla.

18Consequently, the physicians of Seleucia were no longer held in any regard and lost all the profit from their trade, because no one paid attention to them. At this they were filled with envy and began to devise what measures they might take against this servant of Christ.