Acts of Paul and Thecla

Author unknown -- part of the larger Acts of Paul, which the church father Tertullian says was written by an Asian presbyter 'out of love for Paul' and later removed from office for it; likely composed in the mid-to-late 2nd century AD. Tells of Thecla, a young woman converted by Paul's preaching who embraces celibacy and survives persecution -- long influential in traditions of female asceticism.