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Loading...The Forgotten History of Gay Marriage
Republicans and other opponents of gay marriage often speak of marriage as being a 2,000 year old tradition (or even older). Quite apart from the fact that the definition of marriage has changed from when it was a business transaction, usually between men, there is ample evidence that within just Christian tradition, it has changed from the point where same-sex relationships were not just tolerated but celebrated.
In the famous St. Catherine’s monastery on Mount Sinai, there is an icon which shows two robed Christian saints getting married. Their ‘pronubus’ (official witness, or “best man”) is none other than Jesus Christ.
The happy couple are 4th Century Christian martyrs, Saint Serge and Saint Bacchus — both men.
Severus of Antioch in the sixth century explained that “we should not separate in speech [Serge and Bacchus] who were joined in life.” More bluntly, in the definitive 10th century Greek account of their lives, Saint Serge is described as the “sweet companion and lover (erastai)” of St. Bacchus.
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.
Yale historian John Richard Boswell discovered this early Christian history and wrote about it nearly 20 years ago in “Same Sex Unions In Pre-Modern Europe“ (1994).
In ancient church liturgical documents, he found the existence of an “Office of Same Sex Union” (10th and 11th century Greek) and the “Order for Uniting Two Men” (11th and 12th century Slavonic).
He found many examples of:
A 14th century Serbian Slavonic “Office of the Same Sex Union,” uniting two men or two women, had the couple having their right hands laid on the Gospel while having a cross placed in their left hands. Having kissed 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.
Boswell documented such sanctified unions up until the 18th century.
In late medieval France, a contract of “enbrotherment” (affrèrement) existed for men who pledged to live together sharing ‘un pain, un vin, et une bourse’ – one bread, one wine, and one purse.
Other religions, such as Hinduism and some native American religions, have respect for same-sex couples weaved into their history.
When right-wing evangelical Christians talk about “traditional marriage,” there is no such thing.
Related stories:
Pope Tells US Bishops to Fight Gay Marriage, Cohabitation
Read more: gay marriage, history, lgbt rights, religion
Image of icon of Sts. Sergius & Bacchus by St. John Cassian Press
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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Recent Comments from Causes
Important topic... great picture...♥ Thank you!
Thank you for this helpful article.
Sharia Law makes me sick. /:-(((
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+ add your ownLet's stop religions interefering with politics! Finding historical evidence of a more liberal nature won't help fight the mythology believers of which the opposition of civil rights are mostly consisted of. Let's instead use the voices of the majority that supports equal rights. Have them speak out why they support gender neutral marriage laws. The moral minority will be defeated by the open-minded majority!
Lewis W, I see your point. I can definitely see how these male to male unions were for various purposes and how probably many of them were a great cover for gay couples. The church probably blessed the unions as spiritual, political or business but turned a blind eye to the romantic part of it. Certainly many of the priests were gay then as they are today, and those who werent in denial of themselves were very happy to perform these unions, knowing that in many cases, there was a love between the two men being joined in union. Everything was not what it seemed with these unions - some certainly were just strong friendships and alliances for mutual benefit, and others had that AND a love between the men as well. As such, to characterize them all as "gay unions" would be incorrect.
the whole topic is pointless, bc they take a few choice verses that back what THEY want and ignore the rest
"Abomination, abomination, ABOMINATION! So be it, if that's what the haters think. Those self righteous religious nut cases have the right to their own opinions. I just find it humorous that they pick and choose quotes from their story book however never try to live by what Jesus said in Matthew 8:22 (Let the dead bury the dead).
Further to my comments, I would like to state that I am currently in a relationship with another man and am not operating from a position of bias against homosexuality. It is crucial to avoid manipulating history for any agenda however just the cause may seem.
Continued:
Contra these arguments:
Fordham University of New York offers a discussion of a 7th century CE text on the life of Theodore of Sykeon, which suggests that in some cases ἀδελφοποίησις may have involved a more intense male-male relationship:
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/pwh/sykeon-adelpho.asp
Summary: It is possible that the institution of ἀδελφοποίησις may have at some point been connected to carnal activity between males, but to interpret it as a form of 'gay marriage' is anachronistic and uncritical. An interpreter of primary source material must always read it within its cultural context. To translate and interpret source material for an unstated or unexamined agenda is academically dishonest.
Unfortunately, Boswell allows his own biases to overly influence his arguments. Many of his interpretations are downright specious and flagrantly anachronistic. As much as some of his arguments are attractive, they do not stand under criticism.
His interpretation of ἀδελφοποίησις as a form of gay marriage is particularly problematic. It must be seen within its cultural context: as a form of spiritual 'blood-brotherhood'. Furthermore, it must be stressed that a spiritual bond does not imply any kind of carnal bond. It may also have been used as a form of filial adoption or 'brotherhood pact' between rulers for political, financial or religious ends. Here is the Church of Greece's position on ἀδελφοποίησις:
http://www.qrd.org/qrd/religion/judeochristian/eastern_orthodox/Church.of.Greece.on.adelphopoiia
Here is a decent deconstruction of Boswell's arguments by Brent Shaw, an American historian:
http://web.archive.org/web/20060507014622/http://www.learnedhand.com/shaw_boswell.htm
As can be seen after reading these documents, Boswell interprets and translates his source material without reference to their cultural context. As such, his arguments must be treated with absolute caution.
Contra these arguments:
Fordham University of New York offers a discussion of a 7th century CE text on the life of Theodore of
(whoops) care2 is playing games with me - apologies for the double posting)
Jemimah S: I don't quite understand - are you for or against same sex unions?
"Try and take a look at the ENTIRE bible history, and do NOT just pick out a word or two. "
So, all that stuff in the bible about Jesus and love and acceptance - that just doesn't count? Maybe we have different bibles?
You state that you get pissed when" people state things they know nothing about" - how sad for you - myself I find stupidity (and intolerance) such as yours to be rather amusing - am always reminded of that charming adage about opinions and a$$holes ..
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
Jemimah S. - I don't understand - are you argueing for or against same sex marriage or just random ranting?
"Try and take a look at the ENTIRE bible history, and do NOT just pick out a word or two."
Ahhh a real live morality expert in our midst. Color me awed at your understanding and knowledge of what God intends. I suppose all that stuff about Jesus and love and acceptance in that same bible doesn't count? Maybe you should start again - and this time DON'T contradict yourself.
(|Remember: With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine.)
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