title: Virginity: A Positive Approach to Celibacy for the Sake of the Kingdom of Heaven
author:  Raniero Cantalamessa 
description: Text: English (translation)<br /> Original Language: Italian
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  # DISCOURSE XI.—ARETE.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### METHODIUS
  
  
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  CHAP. I.—THE TRUE AND CHASTE VIRGINS FEW;
  
  
  CHASTITY A CONTEST; THEKLA CHIEF OF VIRGINS,
  
  
    
  CHAP. II.—THEKLA SINGING DECOROUSLY A HYMN,
  
  
  THE REST OF THE VIRGINS SING WITH HER; JOHN THE BAPTIST A MARTYR TO
  
  
  CHASTITY; THE CHURCH THE SPOUSE OF GOD,PURE AND VIRGIN.
  
  
    
  CHAP. III.—WHICH ARE THE BETTER, THE
  
  
  CONTINENT, OR THOSE WHO DELIGHT IN TRANQUILLITY OF LIFE? CONTESTS THE
  
  
  PERIL OF CHASTITY: THE FELICITY OF TRANQUILLITY; PURIFIED AND TRANQUIL
  
  
  MINDS GODS: THEY WHO SHALL SEE GOD; VIRTUE DISCIPLINED BY TEMPTATIONS.
  
  
  
  
  
  ## DISCOURSE XI.—ARETE.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### CHAP. I.—THE TRUE AND CHASTE
  
  
  VIRGINS FEW; CHASTITY A CONTEST; THEKLA CHIEF OF VIRGINS,
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
    
  I do accept it, Theopatra related that Arete said, and approve of
  
  
  it all. For it is an excellent thing, even although you had not spoken
  
  
  so clearly, to tak