Decoding History: Ancient Bonds, Early Christian Interpretations, and Modern Dilemmas

Unpacking History: Did Ancient Societies & Early Christianity Sanction Same-Sex Unions?

Before Christianity rose to prominence, various forms of same-sex intimacy and relationships existed across different cultures. From Mesopotamian temple practices to the celebrated pederasty in classical Greece or the sometimes fluid sexual mores of Ancient Rome, it's clear that human sexual expression has always been diverse. However, the nature of these relationships - whether they constituted formalized, recognized unions akin to marriage - is a distinct and often debated question.

The "Adelphopoiesis" Controversy: Brotherhood or Betrothal?

One of the most significant claims fueling the historical debate centers on the Byzantine rite known as adelphopoiesis, often translated as "brother-making." Proponents argue this ceremony was, in essence, an early Christian form of same-sex marriage, a church-sanctioned union for two people of the same gender. They point to liturgical texts and the profound language used within these rites as evidence of a romantic or marital intent.

"The heart of the 'adelphopoiesis' debate lies in whether a ritual designed for profound spiritual kinship was, in fact, a clandestine form of same-sex matrimony."

However, a prevailing scholarly consensus offers a different interpretation. Most historians and theologians view adelphopoiesis as a ceremony for establishing spiritual brotherhood, a profound, non-sexual bond meant to create familial or fraternal ties, often for legal, social, or economic purposes, similar to adoption or a covenant of unbreakable friendship. It was a formalization of "brotherly love," a concept well-understood in ancient societies. Critics of the same-sex marriage interpretation argue that those who claim otherwise project modern, often sex-centric, understandings of relationships onto historical contexts that operated under different social frameworks. They point out that traditional marriage rites in Byzantine culture were lengthy, intricate processes involving multiple stages, including betrothal and crowning, explicitly designed to unite families, not just individuals.

The Case of Saints Sergius and Bacchus: Companions in Faith or Romantic Partners?

Another pivotal point of discussion revolves around the story of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, two high-ranking officers in the Roman army during the early 4th century. Their deep devotion to each other and their shared martyrdom for their Christian faith are well-documented. Icons often depict them in close proximity, suggesting an intense bond.

For centuries, their relationship was universally understood as an exemplary model of Christian friendship and loyalty, a profound platonic love that transcended earthly bonds. In modern discourse, however, some interpret the intensity of their connection, as described in their "Passion" narratives, as evidence of a romantic or even sexual relationship, potentially solemnized by an adelphopoiesis-like rite. They highlight the emotional depth of their bond, particularly Sergius's profound grief at Bacchus's death.

Yet, traditional interpretations emphasize their shared faith and mutual support as expressions of Christian brotherhood, not romantic love. Classical Greek, as the source language for many of these texts, indeed possessed a rich vocabulary for various types of relationships. While terms like arista (often implying erotic love) might appear, they also carry broader meanings of deep, non-sexual friendship or excellence. Other terms like syn desmos and delphoy emphasize unity and brotherhood. Scholars caution against cherry-picking ambiguous terms and ignoring the broader cultural context where strong, non-sexual bonds between men were common and highly valued, distinct from romantic love.

John Boswell's Controversial Contribution and Critiques

The academic debate around historical same-sex unions was significantly ignited by John Boswell's influential 1994 book, Same-Sex Unions in Pre-Modern Europe. Boswell, a Yale historian, contended that evidence suggested the existence of church-recognized same-sex unions throughout the Christian era, positing that ceremonies like adelphopoiesis served this purpose. His work aimed to provide historical grounding for the affirmation of same-sex relationships within a Christian framework.

While groundbreaking, Boswell's research faced extensive criticism from a wide array of scholars, including those who themselves supported LGBTQ+ rights. Key criticisms leveled against his work include:

• Anachronism: Accusations of interpreting ancient texts through a modern lens, imposing contemporary understandings of "homosexuality" and "marriage" onto different historical realities.
• Misinterpretation of Evidence: Claims that Boswell distorted the meaning of key terms and misinterpreted the social and liturgical contexts of ceremonies like adelphopoiesis, which were primarily about spiritual kinship or fraternal bonds, not romantic unions.
• Lack of Nuance: Critics argued he showed a "grotesque incapability of imagining any enthusiasm or intimate bond among men that is not overtly or covertly homosexual," thereby overlooking the profound non-sexual friendships, military camaraderie, and political alliances that characterized pre-modern societies.
• Selective Use of Sources: Allegations of cherry-picking evidence while downplaying or ignoring counter-evidence that challenged his thesis.

In essence, many scholars concluded that while Boswell's work brought an important topic to the forefront, it failed to robustly establish that these ceremonies were originally homosexual in a modern romantic or sexual sense.