Sts. Sergius and Bacchus - Nominee

“Tortured, Bacchus died but appeared to Serge in a vision in prison. Radiant, Bacchus told Serge they were 'bound together' forever and would be reunited, and that 'your crown of justice is me, my crown of justice is you.'”  (Crowning was a part of opposite-gender ceremonies of the time.)

- Gay Christian author Chris Glaser describes the vision in his book As My Own Soul: The Blessing of Same-Gender Marriage

Sergius and Bacchus were young Roman nobles and high ranking legionnaires in the Roman army stationed in late third century Syria. Their refusal to enter the Temple of Jupiter and make an offering revealed them to be closeted Christians. The men were arrested, chained, and paraded through the streets in women’s clothing in an unsuccessful effort to humiliate them. Sergius and Bacchus were then separated and beaten so severely that Bacchus died. That evening it is said that Bacchus appeared as an angel in military garb to Sergius and told him not to despair and that they would soon be reunited. Sergius remained steadfast in his refusal to recant his faith in Christ, was tortured and beheaded. The particularly close bond between the two men has been emphasized since the earliest accounts. The oldest record of their martyrdom describes them as erastai (Greek for “lovers”), and some scholars believe that they may have been united in the rite of adelphopoiesis (brother-making), a form of early Christian same-sex marriage. The tomb of Saint Sergius became a famous shrine and for nearly a thousand years Sergius and Bacchus were the heavenly protectors of the Byzantine army. They are still venerated throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East, where Christian Arabs regard them as patron saints. Today they are invoked by Gay people and anyone persecuted or marginalized by the authorities for daring to follow their heart and conscience. The martyrdom of Sts. Sergius and Bacchus has been largely forgotten by the modern institutional Church, though they are recognized as martyrs by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches. Their feast day is observed on October 7th.