Patron saints

Today is the feast day of two of the patron saints of homosexuals, SS. Sergius and Bacchus (the other patron saint, at least in some circles, is St. Sebastian, who is honored on January 20, or, for those Episcopalians who belong to Integrity, St. Aelred of Rievaulx, who's honored on January 12). I suppose that since this is a Sunday, the feast observance will be transferred to tomorrow, but October 7 is the official, traditional date.

In the early fourth century, Sergius (sometimes called Serge) and Bacchus were high-ranking Roman soldiers and Christians in charge of training young recruits, who were martyred because they refused to worship traditional Roman gods. They were apparently known as homosexuals and lovers (in the Middle Ages, it was believed that they had been joined in a union, much like marriage), because in their disgrace, they were stripped of their military uniforms and forced to ride through town dressed as women, in an early example of Army gay bashing. They were both beaten and tortured until Bacchus died. Sergius was then marched to another location in nail-studded shoes, and the night before he was executed, Bacchus appeared to him in a vision attired as an angel.

SS. Sergius and Bacchus are often cited these days in same sex marriages and union ceremonies. They are considered patron saints, not only for homosexuals, but for the persecuted or marginalized who dare to follow their heart and conscience in opposition to established authority.