When Brothers Dwell in Unity

Stephen Morris is an independent scholar who lives in New York City. He has studied Byzantine and medieval history and theology at Yale and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Academy and has written on patristic preaching and exegesis as well as medieval and Byzantine hagiography.

“an exceptionally well-written, organized and presented theological treatise for both academic and non-specialist general readers with an interest in Christian theology, with respect to the LGBT community...very highly recommended”—Midwest Book Review; “the author is to be commended for a gripping, if chilling, read...sobering”—The Journal of Theological Studies; “brave and intelligent”—Journal of Ecclesiastical History; “I found the book refreshing and courageous. It puts the status of homosexuality within the Byzantine tradition carefully in context. A sound piece of historical writing. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. Morris engages the topic with objectivity, courage and grace. Fearless in dealing with sensitive subjects, its pastoral conclusions are insightful and helpful for discussion of the subject within all Christian churches, not just Orthodox Christianity.”—Wendy Mayer, Australian Catholic University; “Advocacy, autobiography, and scholarship combine in this a fascinating study of homoeroticism in the Byzantine and Orthodox worlds. Morris also sheds welcome further light on the adelphopoiesis or “brother-making” same-sex unions in premodern Europe.”—Mathew Kuefler, author of The Manly Eunuch: Masculinity, Gender Ambiguity, and Christian Ideology in Late Antiquity; “Original and significant…[Morris argues] that the Orthodox Church can recognize the adelphopoiesis rite known from Byzantine times as a recognition of same-sex civil marriage and supports [his] argument convincingly throughout the book by drawing on the parallel of ecclesiastical recognition for second and third marriages, with historical antecedents that reach back to the 9th century.”—Claudia Rapp, Professor of Byzantine Studies (University of Vienna), author of Brother-Making in Late Antiquity: Monks, Laymen and Christian Ritual

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. “Receive Not Any Boys, Beardless Youths, and Eunuchs”: Monastic Experience and the Beautiful Boys2. The “Gay” Male as Byzantine Monster: Civil/Secular Legislation and Punishment for ­Same-Sex Behavior3. “Better Than Free Fornication”: Suspicious Sexual Relationships in Canon Law and Penitential Handbooks4. “Their Teaching Satanic … Their Life Also Diabolical”: John Chrysostom on ­Same-Sex Behavior5. “Look Down from Heaven, Behold and Visit This Vine”: Liturgy and Anthropology of AdelphopoiiaConclusions and ReflectionsAppendix I. John Chrysostom’s Homily 4 on RomansAppendix II. Service to Bless a Second/Third MarriageAppendix III. Service for AdelphopoiiaAppendix IV. Goar’s ­Canonico-Historical Notes on AdelphopoiiaChapter NotesBibliographyIndex