Spirit Epicleses in the Acts of Thomas

Download or read book Spirit Epicleses in the Acts of Thomas written by Susan E. Myers and published by Mohr Siebeck. This book was released on 2010 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Susan E. Myers concentrates on two prayers, strikingly similar in style and content, found in the third-century Acts of Thomas. Each prayer is located in the context of Christian initiation and each is addressed to a feminine deity who is asked to "come" to be present in the ritual. The prayers appeal to the feminine Spirit, who is called "Mother," "fellowship of the male," and "dove," among other titles. The author examines these prayers in their historical, literary, and liturgical contexts, challenging some of the prevailing assumptions about Syriac-speaking Christianity in general, and the Acts of Thomas in particular.