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1 results

  • Chapter 3 - Versified Martyrs

  • from Part I - An Act to Follow
  • Edited by Ghazzal Dabiri, University of Maryland, College Park, Flavia Ruani, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris
  • Book:
    Thecla and Medieval Sainthood
    Published online:
    06 May 2022
    Print publication:
    26 May 2022, pp 85-109

  • Summary

    Although there is no concrete surviving evidence that the Acts of Paul or the Passio sanctae Theclae circulated in Ireland, there are a number of references to Thecla in medieval Irish martyrologies and devotional literature. These sparse references to the proto-martyr are too few to reconstruct the true extent of her cult in medieval Ireland or to assess her possible impact on Insular hagiography. However, one curious uniting feature shared by these fragmentary references to Thecla is that they are all in versified form. Thecla is also venerated in litany-like verse prayers in both Old and Middle Irish where she is included in groupings of significant apostolic figures. Late antique and early medieval continental Latin sources in which Thecla is referred to in a similar context may provide the likely roots of transmission. These possible Latin sources, however, are not all in verse form. Therefore, the choice of a poetic medium coupled with the use of the vernacular may provide precious evidence for the intended audience and reception milieu of such popular hagiographical texts.