Date: Wed, 25 May 94 5:57:38 EDT From: Nicholas P Zymaris Some sources for adelphopoiia/ Christian same-sex marriage rite research: +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Jacobus Goar, _Euchologion_, 2nd edition (Venice: Typographia Bartolomaei Javarina, 1730) pp. 706-709. Not the best edition but easily available. Facsimile of 2nd edition: Graz (Austria), 1960. On Ss. Sergius and Bacchus: J.P. Migne, _Patrologia Graeca_ 115:1005-1032. _Analecta Bollandiana_ 14 (1895) 373-395. Synaxarion, Oct. 7. See also the detailed bibliography previously posted on the Orthodox list by Richard Oliver on Ss. Sergius and Bacchus. On adelphopoiia, aside from Goar's Euchologion and the manuscripts mentioned in J. Boswell, _Same-Sex Unions_, and elsewhere, there is also _Velikii Potrebnik_ (Moscow: Edinovertsii, 1904),sv. "Chin Bratotvoreniyu" There are similar manuscripts on Mt. Athos, which are on microfilm at Moni Vlatadon, Thessaloniki. On 19th and 20th century testimony regarding its use in Greece and Albania (by those who traveled or lived there): J.G. von Hahn, _Albanesische Studien_ (Jena, 1854) Paul Naecke, _Jahrbuch fuer sexuelle Zwischenstufen_ vol. 9 (Leipzig, 1908), pp. 327-337. Havelock Ellis, _Studies in the Psychology of Sex_, vol. 2 (Philadelphia, F.A. Davis: 1908) Eqrem abej, "Sitten und Gebruche der Albaner", _Revue internationale des tudes balkaniques_ (Beograd: Institut Balkanique, 1935), pp. 556-572. Erich Bethe, "Die dorische Knabenliebe", _Rheinisches Museum fuer Philologie_ vol. 62 (Bonn 1907), pp. 438-475 (comments on Hahn on p. 475). Evangelos K. Mantzounea, _He Adelphopoiesis ek Kanonikes Apopseos_ [The Brotherhood-rite from a Canonical Perspective] (Athens, 1982). Personal testimony of Albanians in 1985 and 1991; the existence of the rite is common knowledge but only a few knew any details about current practice, due to the 1967-1990 religious ban in Albania. In 1991 the rite was performed in Elbasan, central Albania and was considered as a "gay marriage". According to _Kodifikimi i pergjitheshem te legjislacionit ne fuqi te Republikes Popullore te Shqiperise_ (Tirana, Botim e Kryeministrise, 1961), Communist-era Albania had no prohibition on vellameria (adelphopoiia) or homoseksualizmi (homosexuality), though there was a penalty of jail time for pederastia which was defined (incorrectly, I would add) as "marredhenie seksuale ndermjet meshkujve" = "sexual relations between males". This may have interesting implications for women who used this rite; John Boswell reports (in the video of his talk at Integrity) of an Albanian female couple thus united, one of whom had to vow never to have sexual relations with a male. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Nicholas Zymaris I C | X C P.O. Box 741 ----------- East Northport, NY 11731-0496 N I | K A "Perendia eshte dashuria" "Lavdi Perendise ne me te larte" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++