Sex, gender and Christian identity in the patristic era

Focusing on three historical examples of a different understanding Christian identity, the paper seeks to address role contemporary concepts sex and gender in creation identity. In first case study, focused literary representations martyrdom from second third centuries, special emphasis is placed demand for ?manly? or ?masculine? way witnessing faith. The example relates wider ascetic movement fourth-century Asia Minor, its specific focus Macrina Younger. her Vita, Gregory Nyssa distinguishes between Macrina?s identity based virginity one hand, social as widow, ?mother? ?father? monastic community other. Finally, shifted towards Dionysius Areopagite Maximus Confessor, whose teachings about ecstasy, transcend oneself loved one, provide basis establishing theology marriage creating not sexual roles, but uniqueness human nature.