Thinking With Female Bodies and Sexuality in the Acts of John by Prochorus: Procliane’s Sin and Repentance

This thesis explores an episode in the Acts of John by Prochorus (Acts John Proch) in which a widowed mother, Procliane, has an incestuous desire for her son. This episode is originally borrowed from the Acts of Andrew but is significantly expanded in the Acts John Proch. This thesis argues that the author of the Acts John Proch reframes the episode from one of sin to repentance. This thesis examines ancient ideas of motherhood and widowhood to detail the nature of Procliane’s transgressions and concludes by analyzing the extensive redemption arc she embodies —a redemption offered to all. This thesis argues that this impulse to think about sin and repentance through the female body is part of broader ancient literature, most notably in monastic “penitent prostitute” stories. In this way, this episode is a case study of how authors “think with” the female body and sexuality in the ancient world.