The women who put friendship over disagreement Philippi is one of my favourite cities, and after docking at the port of Neapoli, it is a pleasant seven mile walk along the well paved Via Egnatia to the city of Philippi. A stroll in the sunshine around the streets, baths, temples and market squares made meContinue reading “Aemilia Metella interviews Euodia and Syntyche”
Author Archives: leavingbethany
Aemilia Metella Interviews Mary of Jerusalem
The woman who refused to flinch in the face of danger The woman put down the scroll she was reading and stood as I entered. “Aemilia, welcome, please sit.” Rhoda, Mary’s servant, placed a silver tray with a jug of wine and two cups on a small table and, with a nod, left the room.Continue reading “Aemilia Metella Interviews Mary of Jerusalem”
The Historical and Biblical Background to Advance from Antioch
In the past two posts, I have looked into the Biblical and historical background of my novels. In January I looked at Leaving Bethany and last month, Return to Caesarea. Now it is the turn of the final book in the Leaving Bethany Trilogy, Advance from Antioch. The story picks up one year afterContinue reading “The Historical and Biblical Background to Advance from Antioch”
The Historical and Biblical Background to Return to Caesarea
Last month I launched a blog series on the Biblical and historical basis of my novels starting with Leaving Bethany. My focus now shifts to the second novel, Return to Caesarea. It is a story where my protagonist, Martha of Bethany fights against potential murderers and her own prejudices. It is five years after theContinue reading “The Historical and Biblical Background to Return to Caesarea”
The Historical and Biblical Background to Leaving Bethany
With the launch of Advance from Antioch, my third and final book in the Leaving Bethany trilogy, I thought I would write a mini-series of blogs, examining the historical and Biblical background of the stories. This month we begin with the first, Leaving Bethany. The novel opens with house-proud Martha sweeping the dust out ofContinue reading “The Historical and Biblical Background to Leaving Bethany”
God the Midwife
I was thinking what to write for my Christmas post and wondered about the things less said. Have you ever wondered about the time between Mary and Joseph arriving at the inn or stable, on the (supposed) donkey and the appearance of the shepherds? This is the actual moment of Jesus’ birth. It always raisesContinue reading “God the Midwife”
Celebrating Women Pioneers of the Early Church
Women Poets and Writers As a writer, I was fascinated to discover that women were writing their thoughts, hopes and ideas way back in antiquity, and women writers are not a new thing. I want to round off this series of women pioneers of the Early Church with a look at three women writers toContinue reading “Celebrating Women Pioneers of the Early Church”
Celebrating Women Pioneers of the Early Church
The Desert Mothers The conversion of Emperor Constantine in 312 AD elevated Christianity to a state religion and brought an end to three centuries of state persecution. The church moved from the margins of society into the centre. It was at this time when Christians began to feel at home in the world that someContinue reading “Celebrating Women Pioneers of the Early Church”
Celebrating Women Pioneers of the Early Church
Women Evangelists and Apostles Welcome to the fourth in our series celebrating the women pioneers of the Early Church. Catch up with the first three here: Women Martyrs Women Theologians and Bible translators Women Church Leaders We read in the New Testament of the twelve apostles, the twelve men who were Jesus’ closest disciples. LaterContinue reading “Celebrating Women Pioneers of the Early Church”
Celebrating Women Pioneers of the Early Church
Women Church Leaders Welcome to the third of the series celebrating women pioneers of the Early Church. Part 1 Women Martyrs Part 2 Women Theologians and Bible Translators When we read about church leadership roles in the New Testament, it can be difficult to understand what they refer to without the following 2,000 years ofContinue reading “Celebrating Women Pioneers of the Early Church”
Leaving Bethany 