Hypatia: The first feminist martyr?

Hypatia was a pagan philosopher of surpassing intellect and beauty. She lived in 355 AD Alexandria, Egypt, then part of the Roman empire.

She was a prominent and influential mathematician, astronomer and teacher.

She lived in a very turbulent era of Alexandria’s history. Christianity was on the rise and the Parabalani, a sect of violent zealots who served as Christian militia under the arch Bishop Cyril, spread discord and terror as they sought to force their “faith” onto Jews and pagans alike.

I use air quotes to describe the so called “faith” of these zealots, because no man with the true love of and for Christ in his heart will perpetrate such violent atrocities on his fellow human. A Christian may act in self defense, yes. And sometimes war was necessary in the pursuit of purging the world of men made evil by the spirits that rule them. But a true Christian would never use violence to force their faith unto another. These men did not know God, and neither did their Archbishop Cyril, for it was he who incited the mob to violently murder Hypatia on false accusations of witchcraft.

She was 30 years old when met a grisly end at the hands of the Parabalani. She was stoned to death with shards of roofing tiles, and her body mutilated. No man with Christ in his heart will have stomach for such violence, no matter the “sin” of the victim.

And that she was sinful is not in question, because we all are, every one of us. If God called for the murder of every sinner there would be no one left to populate the earth He created.

She did not know God, it is true. She did not prescribe to belief in any God, not even her own, for all she could see was the violence perpetrated by the so called believers of these faiths.

The Parabalani were the only example of the Christian faith that she was exposed to.

“As far as I am aware, your God has not yet proved himself to be more just or merciful than his predecessors.”-Hypatia, as played by Rachel Weis in the film “Adora”

Is it then surprising that she refused to bow the knee to the misrepresented God of the parabalani and their ambitious Archbishop?

I have no doubt that, if she had been allowed to live and use her God given intellect to unravel and marvel at God’s creation, He would have made His way into her heart.

It is what philosophers are called to… understanding of the nature of creation. God calls us to Him through the intellect. Submission and humility comes later.

We all come to God in our own way. Some through the heart, some through the mind.

Hypatia was a pure and gifted being. She died a virgin. She was kind, and compassionate, and a light unto the world into which she was born. She was more Christian than the men who murdered her were.

The story of Hypatia effected me deeply, because I too identify as an intellectual and a philosopher. God made me this way, and at the beginning of my Christian journey I felt I’d need to deny this truth to be accepted by those who follow Him. In the end, I could not do it, and I very nearly walked away from the Christian faith altogether.

And then …God led me to Catholiscm.

I am sure many of you would be surprised to hear that I still consider myself something of a feminist, and that my Catholic faith allows me this freedom. From the outside looking in, it might not seem this way, but since becoming Catholic, I feel for the first time since becoming a Christian, a sense of feminine pride.

Catholics believe that Mary is crowned as queen of heaven, and that she rules there, alongside her Son Jesus.

Catholics declare her the most holy and powerful human to walk the earth, second only to Jesus, who was half divine, so there is not real comparision.

Her courage, humility, chastity, obedience and faith, made her a worthy vessel for the son of God, and she is richly rewarded and revered in the catholic faith.

None come to God but through the Son…and then Son cannot refuse the mother.

Yes it is true woman are not permitted a place in the clergy, and for good reason…

Would you send your daughters to fight in the frontlines?

We women were not made for the fight, we are too sensitive and precious. Our strength is one of subtlety and loveliness. The soft beauty of a fragrant rose is trampled on the battle field but a source of divine inspiration if left in peace to blossom.

Does the rose bow to the sun, or does it grow in proclamation of it’s glory? And does the rose not demand respect? For it’s thorns will pierce any who handle it without care.

Mary was exalted and given a high position of power alongside her son in heaven, for her chastity, faith, obedience, courage and the love she holds in her heart for God and all of His creation.

She was most likely not an intellectual, which is the way she was created and perhaps this made it easier for her to BE holy. Because an intellectual mind is often plagued by pride, and pride is the largest stumbling block to a would be Christian, but ANY weakness/blindspot/shortcoming can and should be used as a method of sanctification.

If a prideful intellect can be bent to the will of God, and the voice of that intellect anointed… who amongst us will not be persuaded to turn to Him?

The human mind longs for knowing, the heart for feeling, and the soul for sanctifying.

I pray for the souls of the parabalani and their archbishop who surely burn in hell for their misrepresentation of God, and the weeds they planted during this time of violence. Weeds which would strangle many millions of Gods precious roses, and turn many million more away from a false sun that they could not reconcile the strength of their hearts and their minds to.

I also pray, for the soul of Hypatia. A woman condemned not by God, but by ignorant, unsanctified men.

Save her soul God, show her your true face. Lead all women who share in her spirit… the intellectuals and philosophers, the scientists and mathematicians…all us roses with thorns…please show us your love, heal our broken hearts, humble us where needed, and help us delight in the minds that you have gifted us, teach us to use them to serve You, despite the world.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and the holy spirit, Amen.