Sacred Legacy: Ancient Writings from Nine Women of Strength and Honor

by Myrna Grant (Editor)

Shares inspiring examples of courageous women from medieval times, including a mother, nun, teacher, and rebel who overcame such obstacles as poor health, social expectations, and political upheavals through the power of their faith. Original.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Christian

Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

Myrna Grant is a published author of children's books and young adult books. Some of the published credits of Myrna Grant include Ivan and the Informer, Ivan and the Moscow Circus (The Ivan Series), Ivan and the Daring Escape (Ivan).

Reviews

[Armando Maese Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely get into a book so much that I finish reading it within a day, but I did with this one. The author, Myrna Grant, gives biographical snapshots of nine different Christian women spanning church history. She relates the lives of these women with her own life experiences, the funniest of which is when she met the patriarch of the Armenian church, and also provides short excerpts from the writings of the women she focuses on.

I was familiar with Perpetua, but the others I knew only by name or not at all. The most interesting, I thought, were Egeria and Dhuoda. Egeria traveled to the Holy Land in the fourth century and chronicled her experience. Dhuoda wrote a manual for her oldest son on how to live a faithful Christian life. Her story and the fate of her family are particularly sad. Other than Perpetua, Egeria, and Dhuoda, the other women recounted were medieval mystics, culminating with Teresa of Avila. Of these, Hildegard of Bingen I found to be the most interesting. She seems to have had a tenacity and astuteness about her that I find intriguing.

All the women recounted in this book are all fascinating in some way. It is a real blessing that they were moved to write about their experiences among other general thoughts concerning Christian themes. If not, we might have know little to nothing about them or their times. Recommended to anyone interested in a short introduction to Christian female writers in antiquity.

[Phillip Kang · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been a treat for me to be thrilled and inspired by the lives and writing of these women of antiquity as recounted in Sacred Legacy. The story-like prose and fascinating historical backgrounds and insights make the contents very readable and captivating.

I love reading the excerpts of those writings. The depth and strength of these women’s faith clearly emanate from them. I can do no better than echo author Myrna Grant’s concluding remarks: “What strikes me most about these women is their strength and honour. Nothing deterred them from their deep love of Jesus and their unflagging loyalty to Him. Some paid with their lives, others with their reputations, and their security, relinquishing the comforts of family and the joys of motherhood. Still, they pressed on in holy dignity.”

Definitely a compelling read for men and women alike.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small book with excerpts from the writings of some amazing Christian women through the centuries, from Perpetua, young martyr of the 2nd century, to Teresa of Avila in the 16th century. Grant gives a warm and insightful introduction to each woman, relating them to some personal experience of her own. On a trip, I read one each day and found them quietly encouraging and inspiring.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of the Christian writings of women throughout the centuries. I had read St. Perpetua, but only heard of the writings of Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwitch, Elgeria, etc. Only snippets, but good to read and hear their voices. Read as a toothbrush book.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a nice, easily accessible introduction, with historical context, to the writings of the early Christian feminists. It will be useful to people who want a primer from which they can read further and more widely in the primary and secondary texts recommended.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I cannot be called anything other then what I am, a Christian."- Perpetua

[Chesna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to theologians I look forward to reading in the future.