"When Brothers Dwell in Unity": Byzantine Christianity and Homosexuality

by Stephen Morris

In the world of early Byzantine Christianity, monastic rules acknowledged but discouraged the homosexual impulses of adult males. What most disturbed monastic leaders was adolescent males being accepted as novices; adult men were considered unable to control their sexual desires for these "beautiful boys." John Chrysostom, the Archbishop of Constantinople (397-407), virulently denounced homosexuality, but was virtually the only Byzantine cleric to do so. Penances traditionally attached to heterosexual sins--including remarriage after divorce or widowhood--have always been much more severe than those for a variety of homosexual acts or relationships. Just as Byzantine churches have found ways to accommodate sequential marriages and other behavior once stridently condemned, this book argues, it is possible for Byzantine Christianity to make pastoral accommodations for gay relationships and same-sex marriage.

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Gordon Goodwin]

This is at it's core a religious work rather than a queer studies lens, with that in mind though it's an interesting exploration.

[willowdog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at the history of the church’s relationship to homosexuality that is well documented and takes an in-depth look at the canons of Chrysostom and his teaching on the subject and on marriage, even adelphopiia—brothers dwelling in unity.

[Stephen Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book will be published by McFarland in Fall-Winter 2015 and is available for pre-order here:

http://www.mcfarlandbooks.com/book-2....