Acts of Paul and Thecla 11

1The devil then put evil counsel into their minds. One day, when they had gathered to consult together, they reasoned among themselves: “The virgin is a priestess of the great goddess Diana, and whatever she asks of her is granted, because she is a virgin and is therefore loved by all the gods.

2Now, then, let us hire some immoral young men. After we have made them sufficiently drunk and given them a large sum of money, let us order them to go and violate this virgin, promising them an even greater reward if they do it.”

3(For they had concluded among themselves that if they could violate her, the gods would no longer regard her, nor would Diana heal the sick for her.)

4They carried out this plan. The young men went to the mountain and came to the cave as fierce as lions, knocking at the door.

5The holy martyr Thecla, trusting in the God in whom she believed, opened the door, although she had already been warned of their plan. She said to them, “Young men, what is your business?”

6They replied, “Is anyone here whose name is Thecla?” She answered, “What do you want with her?” They said, “We intend to lie with her.”

7The blessed Thecla answered, “Although I am a lowly old woman, I am the servant of my Lord Jesus Christ. And although you have a vile design against me, you will not be able to accomplish it.” They replied, “It is impossible that we should not be able to do with you whatever we want.”

8While they were saying this, they seized her by force and intended to rape her. Then she said to them with the (greatest) gentleness, “Young men, be patient and see the glory of the Lord.”

9While they held her, she looked up to heaven and said, “O most reverend God, to whom no one can be compared, who glorifies yourself over your enemies; who delivered me from the fire and did not give me up to Thamyris or to Alexander; who delivered me from the wild beasts; who preserved me in the deep waters; who have everywhere been my helper and have glorified your name in me:

10Now also deliver me from the hands of these wicked and unreasonable men. Do not allow them to violate the chastity that I have preserved until now for your honor. For I love you, long for you, and worship you, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, forever. Amen.”

11Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “Do not be afraid, Thecla, my faithful servant, for I am with you. Look and see the place that has been opened for you. There your eternal dwelling shall be; there you shall receive the beatific vision.”

12The blessed Thecla looked and saw that the rock had opened wide enough for a person to enter. She did as she had been commanded, bravely escaped from the vile group, and entered the rock. It immediately closed so completely that no crack was visible where it had opened.

13The men stood utterly astonished at such a remarkable miracle and had no power to detain the servant of God. But as they caught hold of her veil, or hood, they tore off a piece of it.

14Even this happened by God’s permission, to confirm the faith of those who would come to see this venerable place and to convey blessings to people in succeeding ages who would believe in our Lord Jesus Christ with a pure heart.

15Thus suffered Thecla, that first martyr and apostle of God, and virgin. She came from Iconium at eighteen years of age. Afterward, partly through journeys and travels and partly through a monastic life in the cave, she lived for seventy-two years, so that she was ninety years old when the Lord translated her.

16Thus ends her life.

17The day kept sacred to her memory is the twenty-fourth of September, to the glory of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.