Is it more than just coincidence, that on the day following the Supreme Court’s decision to decline hearing the cases appealing so called “gay marriage” rulings, that these two honorable, saintly martyrs are remembered in the life of the church?  Today, October 7, 2014, marriage equality, at the current time, exists in 30 states from just 19 states prior to the Supreme Court’s decision.

Isn’t it awe inspiring to have events in chronological time such as the decision yesterday by the Supreme Court be affirmed by God’s time as celebrated in the liturgical life of the Church?

Sts. Sergius and Bacchus  are two of the most widely known “gay or lesbian” saints.  The Greek Orthodox Church gives this account of the martyrdom of these two holy saints:

These holy Martyrs were Romans of high rank in the service of the Emperor Maximian, to whom it was reported that they did not take part in the festivals of the idols. When he called them into his presence, they confessed their Faith in the one God. He had them arrayed in women’s clothes and paraded through the streets in mockery. They were afterwards scourged, from which Saint Bacchus died… (link)

There are many wonderful blog posts about these two lover saints and their importance as the patron saints of marriage equality.  Rather than simply rehash all that here, please learn more about them from these links:

When Same Sex Marriage was a Christian Rite
Sergius & Bacchus, Oct. 7th: Patron Saints of Gay Marriage?

What I find amazing about these saints is that they have been recognized by the Church from the 3rd and 4th centuries as martyrs and saints.  One may question, personally I don’t, whether or not they were indeed lovers and indeed united in marriage.  If that indeed were the case, why have these saints always been depicted together?  You never see icons of St. Sergius alone nor solely of St. Bacchus.  If they weren’t lovers, what would have driven Maximian to humiliate them so by having them dressed in women’s clothing and paraded through the streets in mockery?

Regardless, history records the strong devotion of these two saints not only to each other but more importantly to God by their unbending faith in God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — as to not take part in the Roman festival of idols even after being tormented so by Maximian.

I found this beautiful novena seeking the intercession of these two holy saints:

Oh glorious Martyrs,
St. Sergius and St. Bacchus,
your courage and love
are an inspiration and joy to me.
I call upon you now
and beseech you
to intercede for me to our Lord,
God, Christ Almighty.
You are the two servants of our Lord,
whose trust in the One God,
and Holy Trinity,
was so great,
that neither public humiliation,
nor torture,
nor even the threat of death
could sway you from publicly
proclaiming your faith
in the Son of the Father, Jesus.
Our God showed how proud He was
of your love and courage,
when after the death of Bacchus,
when Sergius,
being at his lowest and loneliest,
began to lose heart,
and so the Lord sent
the spirit of Bacchus to Sergius
to allow him to console Sergius
with the promise that the two of you
would again be together in Heaven.

I beseech you now
to implore the Lord our God
and pray

(State your intention here…)

and that I may at the end of this life’s journey
join you and all of the saints
and angels and the elect in Heaven
to behold the face of God
and to praise God throughout eternity.
In return for your help and intercession,
I promise to spread the word
of your love and courage and devotion
to God our Lord.
And one final thing,
I pray that you be at my side
along with my guardian angel
to guide and guard and encourage me
throughout all the days of my life,
but especially at those times
when life seems to be most difficult
and my sufferings seem to be greatest.
Pray for me and watch over me
St. Sergius and St. Bacchus.
Amen

I think I’ll take the time these next 9 days to pray this novena for the intercession of these remarkable patron saints of marriage equality.

Originally Published 10/7/2014