When Same-Sex Marriage Was A Christian Rite

Saturday

May022009

Note: This is a reprint of an article that originally ran in the Colfax Record last year. I thought it would be an interesting piece to present after all of the commentary and debate on my blogs last week regarding Miss California, same-sex marriage, and religion.

SS. Sergius & Bacchus - 7th cent.A Kiev art museum contains a curious icon from St. Catherine's Monastery on Mt. Sinai in Israel. It shows two robed Christian saints. Between them is a traditional Roman ‘pronubus’ (a best man), overseeing a wedding. The pronubus is Christ. The married couple are both men.

Is the icon suggesting that a gay "wedding" is being sanctified by Christ himself? The idea seems shocking. But the full answer comes from other early Christian sources about the two men featured in the icon, St. Sergius and St. Bacchus, two Roman soldiers who were Christian martyrs. These two officers in the Roman army incurred the anger of Emperor Maximian when they were exposed as ‘secret Christians’ by refusing to enter a pagan temple. Both were sent to Syria circa 303 CE where Bacchus is thought to have died while being flogged. Sergius survived torture but was later beheaded. Legend says that Bacchus appeared to the dying Sergius as an angel, telling him to be brave because they would soon be reunited in heaven.

While the pairing of saints, particularly in the early Christian church, was not unusual, the association of these two men was regarded as particularly intimate. Severus, the Patriarch of Antioch (AD 512 - 518) explained that, "we should not separate in speech they [Sergius and Bacchus] who were joined in life". This is not a case of simple "adelphopoiia." In the definitive 10th century account of their lives, St. Sergius is openly celebrated as the "sweet companion and lover" of St. Bacchus. Sergius and Bacchus's close relationship has led many modern scholars to believe they were lovers. But the most compelling evidence for this view is that the oldest text of their martyrology, written in New Testament Greek describes them as "erastai,” or "lovers". In other words, they were a male homosexual couple. Their orientation and relationship was not only acknowledged, but it was fully accepted and celebrated by the early Christian church, which was far more tolerant than it is today.

Contrary to myth, Christianity's concept of marriage has not been set in stone since the days of Christ, but has constantly evolved as a concept and ritual.

Prof. John Boswell, the late Chairman of Yale University’s history department, discovered that in addition to heterosexual marriage ceremonies in ancient Christian church liturgical documents, there were also ceremonies called the "Office of Same-Sex Union" (10th and 11th century), and the "Order for Uniting Two Men" (11th and 12th century).

These church rites had all the symbols of a heterosexual marriage: the whole community gathered in a church, a blessing of the couple before the altar was conducted with their right hands joined, holy vows were exchanged, a priest officiatied in the taking of the Eucharist and a wedding feast for the guests was celebrated afterwards. These elements all appear in contemporary illustrations of the holy union of the Byzantine Warrior-Emperor, Basil the First (867-886 CE) and his companion John.

Such same gender Christian sanctified unions also took place in Ireland in the late 12thand/ early 13th century, as the chronicler Gerald of Wales (‘Geraldus Cambrensis’) recorded.

Same-sex unions in pre-modern Europe list in great detail some same gender ceremonies found in ancient church liturgical documents. One Greek 13th century rite, "Order for Solemn Same-Sex Union", invoked St. Serge and St. Bacchus, and called on God to "vouchsafe unto these, Thy servants [N and N], the grace to love one another and to abide without hate and not be the cause of scandal all the days of their lives, with the help of the Holy Mother of God, and all Thy saints". The ceremony concludes: "And they shall kiss the Holy Gospel and each other, and it shall be concluded".

Another 14th century Serbian Slavonic "Office of the Same Sex Union", uniting two men or two women, had the couple lay their right hands on the Gospel while having a crucifix placed in their left hands. After kissing the Gospel, the couple were then required to kiss each other, after which the priest, having raised up the Eucharist, would give them both communion.

Records of Christian same sex unions have been discovered in such diverse archives as those in the Vatican, in St. Petersburg, in Paris, in Istanbul and in the Sinai, covering a thousand-years from the 8th to the 18th century.

The Dominican missionary and Prior, Jacques Goar (1601-1653), includes such ceremonies in a printed collection of Greek Orthodox prayer books, “Euchologion Sive Rituale Graecorum Complectens Ritus Et Ordines Divinae Liturgiae” (Paris, 1667).

While homosexuality was technically illegal from late Roman times, homophobic writings didn’t appear in Western Europe until the late 14th century. Even then, church-consecrated same sex unions continued to take place.

At St. John Lateran in Rome (traditionally the Pope's parish church) in 1578, as many as thirteen same-gender couples were joined during a high Mass and with the cooperation of the Vatican clergy, "taking communion together, using the same nuptial Scripture, after which they slept and ate together" according to a contemporary report. Another woman to woman union is recorded in Dalmatia in the 18th century.

Prof. Boswell's academic study is so well researched and documented that it poses fundamental questions for both modern church leaders and heterosexual Christians about their own modern attitudes towards homosexuality.

For the Church to ignore the evidence in its own archives would be cowardly and deceptive. The evidence convincingly shows that what the modern church claims has always been its unchanging attitude towards homosexuality is, in fact, nothing of the sort.

It proves that for the last two millennia, in parish churches and cathedrals throughout Christendom, from Ireland to Istanbul and even in the heart of Rome itself, homosexual relationships were accepted as valid expressions of a God-given love and committment to another person, a love that could be celebrated, honored and blessed, through the Eucharist in the name of, and in the presence of, Jesus Christ.

Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 9:55PM | |

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References (1)

References allow you to track sources for this article, as well as articles that were written in response to this article.

Response: Myths/Facts (orig: and misery and justice for all)

by lizard at dotlizard dot com on May 3, 2009

MYTH: marriage is a religious concept and has always been between a man and a woman. FACT: marriage predates recorded history, but the earliest known traditions in Greco-Roman times were intended to define who got the dowry, who inherited what, and who was the boss of who.

Reader Comments (68)

@ J:

Churches can deny whatever they feel contradicts their policies, but they CANNOT prove that those unions NEVER had sexual connotations. Besides, you know what those Eastern Europeans were known for ;)

June 4, 2009 |

----

Show me one Bible verse that says God is ok with homosexuality. Just one will be fine.

July 6, 2009 |

Ben

The bible is a book for people who cannot think for themselves. There is no need for mythology when your dealing with REAL human beings. Therefore, no need to show you anything from the bible.

July 6, 2009 |

Tiger

I find it sad, that as a Christian, other "so called" Christians show so much hatred and oppress, judge, and force negative energy towards other believers, and non-believers. I am called to LOVE my neighbor, period. If there were more Christians that actually practiced what the Bible teaches, there may be less people that would regard us as Bible thumping lunatics and hypocrites. Those that are Christians need to remember, they who are without sin should be the first to cast a stone.
LOVE. Period.

July 6, 2009 |

Kitty

To munkibutt..wich is not even an appropriate name. God hates sin..people sin everday..judging is a sin, and is a job only for God! So yes I think it's right we teach people to love other people that are Homosexual, just because they are HUMAN BEINGS!!!
It's an orientation!! It's not their personality, you know the thing we should actually look for in a person and not on who they love or lay down with at night.
I dont know why you so called "Christians" judge, and condemn the way you do because your no better and your no Holier. Plus we as Christians are too accept and love as Jesus Christ did to all sinners when He was on this earth. He didn't say, oh your Gay, and because of that your doomed for eternal hell. No! He didn't! And you stated, We will not tolerate sin because God does not tolerate sin. Guess what munkibutt, YOUR AN IDIOT!!! And if thats the case it also says in the Bible that gluttony (being fat) is a sin..are we going to let society condemn and mock fat people? (cause as you said sin will not be tolerated)..no were supposed to help peolple, not corrupt their minds by making them think God see's them as an abomination! And if you ask me, anyone who promotes hatred and steers the world to hate Homosexuality isn't a true Christian. We were put on this earth, to love one another and serve God, and as beleivers in Christ too lead people to the Lord not away from Him. I'm a 17 year old girl who is Baptist and was sent to a Christian School since N-3. I read my KJV Bible everyday, so yes I know about my God. My God is a loving God, not one that condemns and hates! I know how some of these Baptists at my Church talk about Homos, and clearly I'm fed up with it! It's wrong! If were here to do God's work but instead evryones worried about condenming people because of who they love in life then were setting our world up to be a warzone were innocent people get hurt for no reason..is that what God wants? Of course not. But if thats what some of you so called"Christians" want then you might as well be soldiers for Satan, instead of soldiers for our Heavenly Father..The Lord our God!

July 19, 2009 |

Christina

Kitty...I agree completely.

I am a committed Christian who firmly believes the Bible is the written Word of God. That being said, I live my life under three truths.

1. The only way to heaven is to accept Jesus Christ as your savior.
2. I am (we are All) sinners. I attempt to live my own life with honor.
3. My 'mission' is to draw others to Christ, as I love people and want salvation for them.

I find it so curious that Christians are so opposed to Gay marriage. Not to repeat what truths have already been spoken, but God teaches us to love. God teaches us to not judge others.

So I conclude with my Biblically based reasoning for why I believe in equal civil rights for all:

God discusses many sins-sexual immorality is one. However, He also discusses lying, adultery (anyone whom even LOOKS at another with lust in their heart has committed this sin), and murder among others. These behaviors are wrong. That leaves Christians with three logical choices.

1. Admit you are a hypocrite and view yourself as a spiritual authority likened to God because you've determined that sexual immorality is worse than these other sins---as it seems you want to punish this particular sin by not allowing civil rights, but still allow those who commit the other sins (murders, adulterers, liars) to marry.

2. Decide to stick to the letter of the Bible for your morality, and petition the government to outlaw marriage in instances in which one, or both, of the partners has committed a sin. Ever.

3. Open your minds, hearts, and eyes, and discern for yourself that God would rather you love others and draw them to Him.

August 24, 2009 |

Michelle

The most evil rotten empire of the old world The Romans drew a picture of christians males marring each other, says what. Nothing because they forced male slaves to have sex with males and I'm sure the females did the same,
Why should anyone care if same sex lovers want to marry, I don't care one bit. Let them have the same things the rest of us have, marriage, jobs, BS, children more BS and then die like the rest of us, people we all live in a lie the only thing we have is money and if you don't believe me stop working and give away what money you have and you will see all is lost. But no let us impose our will upon the people and tell them everything they do is queer.
People we have a long way to go before we become humane as a species we're all screwed.

September 27, 2009 |

Hitler

...please where can I buy a unicorn?

November 23, 2009 |

adantamnkar

This article is kind of ridiculous. The author assumes that the Christ icon is a 'pronobus.' That's a huge leap to base such a base and vile accusation on.

I don't know if some church somewhere in the middle ages had homosexual weddings or not. But that is beside the point. I don't know any form of Christianity today that bases truth on what a church did in the middle ages. The writings of the apostles recorded in the New Testament condemn 'arsenokoite' which seems to be a word composed from the Septuigint command against a man lying with a man as one does with a woman. The piece of 'art' that has this word on it from ancient Greek indicates it refers to homosexual activity. I Corinthians 6 states that arsenokoite and malakos will not inherit the kingdom of God. This would apparently refer to both participants in a male homosexual act. The Old Testament also clearly condemns the practice. It is one of those acts God actually judged Gentiles for, driving them out of the land for their wickedness. Romans 1 indicates that female homosexual activity is forbidden, but it is clear that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, flatly condemns male homosexual activity.

And why is it that if two men, historical figures, have a great friendship like David and Jonathan, or these two guys in the picture, that the modern homosexual apologists try to turn it into something homosexual. I even saw a website saying George Washington Carver was a homosexual. He wasn't married, but there is no evidence for this sort of thing.

November 27, 2009 |

Man

@ Man

Very weak argument, hahahahahaha, that is all I have to say.

November 28, 2009 |

Steve

Religions are against same-sex unions because it doesn't have procreation, therefore the extension of the religion. it's a simple and convenient interest in history carried out until today.

December 28, 2009 |

Alex

It seems to me that just because the chruch laid its sanction to something doesn't mean that it should have. Heloooo 95 thesis!! I have no problem with one fella fulfilling the emotional needs of another fella but where the bible draws the line is sex. any unbiased reading of the proof texts usually put forward is clear and to get something other than that is stretching the text further than it should be stretched. I'm all for people but not so much for sin. Now don't get me wrong, I've done my share, maybe more, but I recognize it for what it is. It is only when we are lying to ourselves in the moment that we justify what we are doing or about to do.(and some continue in self delusion well after the fact) but most agree that what ever we did, after the fact, we rightly see as sin. As Jesus said to the woman caught in the act of adultery, neither do I condemn you, now go and sin no more. It's that last part that most of us have trouble with, but should we if we are truly seeking after god? Should christians not walk in victory? With the occasional screw up I'm sure but we should not by any stretch of the imagination be consistently blatantly sinning.

It seems that same sex nooky ranks right up there with gossip. Yep, would you want a peacher who despite all manor of talkings to continued to blatantly gossip from the pulpit? If gossip is a sin then I don't see how homosexual sex is not. If it were up to me I would say let them live as they choose, and that's what they are going to do anyway but it is not up to me I am going by what the bible says. By the way the bible also has alot to say about tolerance but it also says alot about being discerning. You can be tolerant and still call a spade a spade or a sin a sin, and it should be done in a loving manor but it should be done and I base this on respect for scripture. If you think that scripture is a bunch of moral stories that we can learn from then you can inturperat the bible that way. I do not hold to that position. This is a difficult subject but one that must be dealt with.

February 8, 2010 |

Stoned (probably, but we'll see)

I find sad that so much hate is going around. I'm majorly turned off from churches, and hence from religion, by all the hatred and culpability that both spew.

Trying to excuse them can be done one of two ways:
1- they do have our best interests at heart, and homosexuality is bad for us. Can someone explain me objectively how or why ?
2- this is just about semi-arbitrary rules that come from ancient texts which leave room for both interpretation and rewrites (of which there is ample evidence on plenty of issues). Since I don't really believe in arbitrariness for such a loaded text as the bible, I'm wondering what the agenda is, and my guesses are not encouraging: pointing out enemies ? guilt-tripping people to weaken them into wanting to atone ?

February 8, 2010 |

Olivier

There is no assurance that it implies same sex marriage, however if it is true, pretty sure that church won't agree with it. It is understandable that church has a reputation and teachings to maintain and it won't be easy to admit it.
I'm a believer of Christ but I would be very happy if in time, this issue will be clear according to what is real.

May 9, 2010 |

Christian Vendor Space

Hi guys,gaysand girls out there! Pls dont fight over this topic. I am a publisher of a gay and lesbian magazine called KETCHUP in the Philippines.

I am a catholic, raised in a conservative family and educated in catholic schools. Im looking for some answers for my next issue. "WHERE DOES THIS KIND OF HATRED CAME FROM?" WHEN DID IT ALL STARTED?
I have to trace to ancient scriptures, manuscript etc. cause I have never found a single word in the bible that says condem those two men or two women loving each other dearly. Why does my church promotes hate and division to men? Whether you're hetero or homo, there should be peace and NOT DIVISION.

The only thing I know that promotes HATRED to men is SATAN. So pls stop HATE, try your best to love and understand your neighbors, friends, family regardless of gender, race or religion. Cheers to all!

May 10, 2010 |

Ketchup

A conservative approach to the gay marriage debate would be that gay marriage is healthy for society for the same reasons heterosexual marriage is.

May 26, 2010 |

Gay Rights

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June 30, 2010 |

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July 12, 2010 |

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It is actually difficult to recognize that piocture in which a great confusion that both are male or female. There is no cleaity in that picture. Thanks for posting

July 21, 2010 |

Fantasy Phone Sex

Makes me wonder just where in the Bible it says, "Adam & Eve, not Adam & Steve" Love this article, fantastic stuff, thanks for re-posting!

August 13, 2010 |

Cerridwyn

@you'll never know

You're quoting a book that has been translated into how many different editions(over 50), has been translated from a language with three words for every 1 word in English, and was written in a man's hand, "god's providence" put into it or not. Arsenokoites is the word that supposedly means homosexuals and is the word used in the Greek version of the bible that was the translation to English. And the closest "defining" of that term in the bible is someone who rapes another SPECIES or PAGAN IDOL PROSTITUTE. If you're gonna base your whole life on a book, learn what it actually means. Also, no, it doesn't say homosexual is good in any part of the bible, that's true.. at least nowhere that's been translated yet, though hundreds, possibly thousands of books were lost over the years, but there is the fact that no where in the book does it mention exchanging rings for a wedding... or does it cover annulments and so forth in it, yet those are sanctioned, approved Christian rites. I don't think that book is supposed to be a guideline on everything in life, but considering some of the quotes.

"In the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

maybe they thought it was self-explanatory:

August 16, 2010 |

Nice and informative article!!! I like this. I think everybody should read this article.

September 6, 2010 |

Chat

Erm.. Mt. Sinai has never been nor will it ever be in Israel.
Its located in EGYPT

November 8, 2010 |

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November 8, 2010 |

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Your going to use middle ages Catholicism, really? Do you know anything about the reformation and it's fight against the corruption and evil inside the Catholic church, I'm sorry but the Catholic church had been corrupt for a 1000 years and it's still corrupt today.

November 10, 2010 |

Scott