In this episode, we dive into the fascinating yet problematic world of hagiography through the lens of The Acts of Paul and Thecla. Who was Thecla, and why has her story captivated Christian imagination for centuries? We'll explore the origins of her legend, the glaring historical and theological errors in the text, and how her tale became a cornerstone of ascetic devotion in the Eastern Church. From miraculous self-baptism to 72 years in a cave, Thecla's story is equal parts inspiring and misleading. Join us as we examine why truth matters in both faith and practice and discuss the dangers of treating religious storytelling as historical fact. Title: Thecla, the Saint Who Never Existed Date: AD 47 - ? Place: Iconium, Antioch, Seleucia Key Figures and Events: Thecla, Paul. Contact: [email protected] Want to Support the Show? If you'd like to help cover hosting costs, development, and general support of the show, you can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/churchhistory License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.