The cloud of Thecla and the construction of her ‎character as a virgin (παρθένος), martyr (μάρτυς) ‎and apostle (ἀπόστολος)‎

Abstract

In the Acts of Paul and Thecla (APTh) a cloud appears in the most important scenes of the tale. This motif is used to highlight the protection offered by God on behalf of the young woman and echoes that cloud appearing in Exodus guiding and protecting the Israelites. Thanks to these kinds of echoes, the author of the APTh tries to establish a connection between both scenes in his readers’ minds and builds, at the same time, the character of Thecla, portrayed as a virgin, a martyr or an apostle in different scenes of the narration.