Blood brides of Christ

Very seldom in the history of Christianity, books were written about martyrdom and female martyrs in the early centuries. Female martyrs are often not known and their role of defending their faith is not recorded. The title of this book Blood brides of Christ: Female martyrs in the early centuries makes the focus and emphasis of this book obvious – it is about female martyrs.

Jaap Durand is well known for his scholarly work on issues of justice and reconciliation in the South African context and internationally. This book takes both these issues very seriously. It pleads with readers to do justice to the significant role played by female martyrs in the early centuries by making a point that this history continues to be recorded and recognised in today’s theological engagements on the one hand. But also that we strive for a reconciled society where women’s roles in church and society are recognised and respected, not only on human dignity issues, but also in African women’s theology engagements.