Who Was Thecla of Iconium? The Forgotten Apostle of Early Christianity

Who Was Thecla of Iconium? The Forgotten Apostle of Early Christianity

In the early days of Christianity—before church buildings rose and creeds were canonised—there lived a young woman who defied every cultural expectation to follow the voice of Christ. Her name was Thecla of Iconium, and her story, though largely forgotten in the Western Church, remains one of the most extraordinary accounts of female faith, courage, and apostolic calling in early Christian history.

A Window, a Voice, a Turning Point

Thecla’s story begins in 1st-century Iconium (modern-day Turkey), where she hears the Apostle Paul preaching the gospel from within her home. So moved by his message of resurrection, purity, and devotion to Christ, Thecla chooses to abandon her arranged marriage, her wealth, and even her family to follow the path of faith. For this, she is arrested, publicly condemned, and sentenced to death—not once, but multiple times.

But death never comes. Fire, wild beasts, and public humiliation are met instead with divine deliverance, miraculous protection, and spiritual power. Eventually, Thecla becomes a preacher, healer, and spiritual teacher in her own right—a woman walking in apostolic authority at a time when women were meant to remain silent.

Why Does Thecla Matter Today?

Thecla’s life is a powerful reminder that from the very beginning, women were not simply followers in the Christian story—they were leaders, teachers, and martyrs. Though The Acts of Paul and Thecla was not included in the biblical canon, it was widely read and loved by early Christians, particularly in Eastern traditions. The text was considered so powerful that some church leaders sought to suppress it due to its bold portrayal of female spiritual authority.

In Thecla, we see a theology that is embodied, courageous, and countercultural. Her faith speaks directly to today’s world—especially to those navigating spiritual callings, gender identity, and the boundaries of tradition.

Explore Thecla's Story: Free PDF Download

For those interested in reading her full account, we are pleased to offer a free downloadable PDF of The Acts of Paul and Thecla, translated from the earliest sources. This text provides a unique glimpse into how early Christians viewed martyrdom, chastity, and discipleship.

A New Textbook for Theology and Christian Studies

To support deeper study, I have developed a new textbook to pair with the Bible Book:
Canon and Courage: The Theological Legacy of Thecla of Iconium

This beautifully written academic resource bridges early Christian literature, patristic theology, and feminist theology, offering students and readers alike an accessible yet profound engagement with Thecla’s legacy. The textbook includes:

• Historical and theological commentary

• Reflection and discussion prompts

• Connections to biblical and apocryphal texts

• Teaching tools for classroom and spiritual formation

• A devotional guide for women's ministries and theological retreats

Whether you are a student, a church leader, or a seeker of early Christian voices, this work invites you to rediscover Thecla as a prophet, preacher, and daughter of fire.

Bringing Thecla Back to the Church and Classroom

There is something timeless about Thecla’s witness. Her courage speaks to anyone who has chosen truth over tradition, calling over comfort, and Spirit over silence. As churches, schools, and individuals continue to explore the diversity of voices in early Christianity, Thecla’s story invites us to remember what the fire could not consume—and what the canon could not silence.

The Testament of Thecla of Iconium: A Daughter of Flame

I am Thecla, once of Iconium, forever of Christ. Daughter to noble birth, yet called to nobler purpose, I speak now across generations—so that you, dear daughters of faith, may rise in courage, and walk in fire and holiness as I once did.

In the days of my youth, I sat behind the lattice of my mother’s house, hearing the words of Paul the Apostle. The sound of truth broke through my sheltered world like thunder. His voice bore not just doctrine, but liberation. From that moment, I could no longer see life as I once had: I chose not the marriage bed, but the bridal chamber of the Lamb. For Christ alone captured my heart, and I became His, utterly and forever.

I followed Paul, not as a disciple of man, but as a vessel of the Spirit. I faced the wrath of rulers, the scorn of kin, the fury of beasts, and the fire of death itself. Twice condemned—first to flames, then to wild beasts—I was not consumed. The fire would not touch me. The beasts would not bite me. The Lord who called me wrapped me in His mercy, and the earth, the sky, and the elements themselves bore witness to my consecration.

I preached in cities where women were forbidden to lift their heads. I taught in the shadows, in the valleys, in homes, and in hearts. They tried to silence me—scribes, bishops, and emperors alike. And though their ink has erased my name from the canon of your Western scriptures, it could not erase the fire that God placed in my soul.

Why was my story hidden? Because I was woman, and because I was free. Because I heard the Lord without a man's permission, and answered Him without delay. My purity frightened them. My voice offended. My defiance of worldly roles challenged their order. But it is not men’s order that I obey. It is the Kingdom’s.

To you, daughters of dust and glory, I leave this:

Never fear to burn brightly. The world will tell you that obedience means silence, submission means invisibility, and holiness means stillness. But I tell you, by the Spirit of the Living God—obedience means movement toward the Lord, submission means yielding to His voice above all, and holiness is a fire that dances, consumes, and sanctifies.

I chose the Lord because He chose me first. He saw me not as property, not as a body to be bargained, but as a soul to be crowned. In Him, I found not just salvation, but identity. Through Him, I became more—not less.

My obstacles were many: men who called me possessed, laws that called me lawless, mothers who called me mad. But I was none of these. I was a prophetess. I was a martyr. I was a teacher. I was beloved.

If you find your heart stirred, it is because the same Spirit that called me now whispers to you. Listen. Do not delay. Your story, like mine, will shake foundations. And though the world may forget your name, the Kingdom never will.

When I lay down this life, I do so not in defeat but in flame. My voice, once silenced, now rises in you. Go forward, daughters. Preach. Heal. Sanctify. Blaze.

For the Bridegroom awaits.

—Thecla of Iconium

Thanks and see you on the next blog,

Love always, Val