Female figures in Christian history and the 'Larger Hope'

 

Female figures in Christian history and the 'Larger Hope'

Since it is Women's day, I thought to speak about some historical Christian female figures that may have embraced universalism or have expressed some views that lean to that direction.

The most obvious example is Macrina the Younger (fl. 4th century), the sister of the Cappadocians Fathers Gregory of Nyssa and Basil of Caesarea**.** Significantly, IIRC her grandmother Macrina the Elder seems to have been a student of Gregory Thaumaturgus, a disciple of Origen of Alexandria. BTW, it is IMO quite certain that she was an universalist as she plays the role of the 'Teacher' in Gregory of Nyssa's book 'On the Soul and Resurrection' .

Another possible female ancient universalist was Melania the Elder (fl. 4-th century) who was a close associate with both Rufinus of Aquileia and Evagrius Ponticus and reportedly studied a lot of Origen's works. In her case, however, we can't have the same degree of evidence as in the case of Macrina but given her associations and the fact that she was harshly criticized by Jerome of Stridon after the latter's break with Rufinus and repudation of Origen, it is not hard to imagine that she might have at least a sympathy towards universalism.

There is a nice paper that discusses both figures here: https://trivent-publishing.eu/history/setmeasaseal/2.%20Andra%20Jug%C4%83naru.pdf

Much later, in the later Middle Ages, there are two important figures in the West. The first is Catherina of Siena (fl. 14th century), who is the patron saint of Italy (as is Francis of Assisi) and was reported to have said (IIRC by her biographer): "How could I bear, oh Lord, that even one of those you created in your image and likeness shall perish and escape from your hands? No, for no reason I want that even of my siblings shall perish, anyone who is united with me through the same birth."*. Considering her time, it is notable to see such a concern. Celarly, this doesn't imply that she was an universalist but clearly expressed her difficulty to reconcile the 'traditional' doctrine with her desire that none should perish. This concern reminds one of the concern expressed by Silouan the Athonite (fl. 20th century) as reported by his disciple Sophrony of Essex: https://afkimel.wordpress.com/2019/09/24/love-could-not-bear-that/

A near contemporary of Catherina is Julian of Norwich (fl. 14-15th century). In her case, I suggest to read Fr. Kimel excellent analysis of her theology which seems to contain many elements that go into an universalist direction: https://afkimel.wordpress.com/2020/05/10/all-shall-be-well-but-how-well-is-hell/

Finally, there is the case of the Ethiopian Kristos Samra (fl. probably in the15th century) whose case I presented here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChristianUniversalism/comments/1r4g20q/kristos_samra_ethiopian_saint_and_the_power_of/

There is no clear evidence that she was an universalist. However, there is an anedocte that is attributed to her in which she goes to Sheol/Gehenna and manages to rescues a large number of souls from there. While this is perhaps all symbolic, it does suggest that she believed in the possibility of post-mortem salvation (through at least intercessions of the living).

*my translation from the (modernized) Italian text: "Come potrei sopportare, o Signore, che uno solo di quelli che hai creato a tua immagine e somiglianza si perda e sfugga dalle tue mani? No, per nessuna ragione io voglio che uno solo dei miei fratelli si perda, uno solo di quelli che sono uniti a me attraverso una stessa nascita." (source: https://www.avvenire.it/agora/cultura/inferno-quel-fuoco-acceso-dalla-nostra-liberta_14017 ).

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