#queer orthodox

[queerorthodoxy]

I love queer Christians, I love our faith and resilience and I love our relationship with God BECAUSE of our queerness, not in spite of it

[orthopunkfox]

I am no longer accepting the belief that Our Lord and Saint John the Beloved DID NOT have an extremely intimate relationship that went beyond teacher/disciple or even platonic friendship. There are three main reasons for this:

1. He's LITERALLY called Saint John the Beloved. In his gospel, he refers to himself as "the disciple Jesus loved" and makes it a point to tell us that he beat Saint Peter to Jesus's tomb after the resurrection. If that's not the behavior of a completely extra gay man idk what is. In all seriousness, Saint John was one of three people at the foot of the cross along with the Theotokos and Saint Mary Magdalene (don't get me started on HER relationship with Jesus). He was obviously considered extremely close to Our Lord. Not only this but Jesus left his mother the Theotokos in the care of Saint John from the cross. While as an Orthodox Christian I believe that Mary was a perpetual virgin and had no other biological children, scripture does reference other male relatives of Jesus. Whether they were his step brothers or cousins is unclear but the reality is that if John was just a friend, Mary's care would've passed to the closest male relative. Jesus wanted to make sure that John specifically took care of her, unless Jesus was married in which case his mother would've been cared for by the spouse of Jesus. It is well-known in the tradition of the Orthodox Church that the Theotokos, Mary Magdalene, and Saint John all lived together after Jesus's ascension. Indeed after the repose of the Theotokos, Saint John and Saint Mary Magdalene traveled to Ephesus where Mary Magdalene reposed peacefully. It is also worth noting that these three: Mary the Theotokos, Saint John, and Saint Mary Magdalene were the only of Christ's disciples who did not die as martyrs, John being the only one of the 12 not to meet a violent end. While there are theological reasons for this, it's clear that these people meant a great deal to Our Lord.

2. Reading Saint John's Gospel, it's incredibly clear that he understands Christ on an EXTREMELY intimate level. The other authors of the synoptic gospels record Jesus's life as man in the flesh on Earth. Each also puts his individual stamp on his account. Matthew the tax collector, the accountant, begins his gospel by listing the entirety of Jesus's lineage from Abraham forward. Luke the Physician records that in Gethsemane, Jesus's body was in such physical stress that he sweat blood. Mark, the law student gives a concise yet detailed accounting of Jesus's ministry beginning with the statement "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Saint John however begins with who Christ is, who He truly is "in the beginning was the LOGOS!" He seems to be the only apostle who truly, deeply, intimately understood that Jesus existed since the literal beginning of Time that He was the Word, the very Power that brought the world into being with the Father. While I don't doubt that the other apostles knew these things to be true, I think John actually understood it, which may have been why he was granted the vision of the Apocalypse, the fullness of the Divine Liturgy in Paradise for Eternity. Did he have this understanding because he had intimate knowledge of Jesus? Perhaps all that extra time spent close to Our Lord afforded him a deeper understanding than others. He definitely seems to understand Our Lord on a whole other level than the rest of the apostles. It's almost like when you meet your friend's partner and they reveal all of these things you didn't know about your friend before because they are afforded a level of intimacy you don't have.

3. THIS ART! LOOKS AT IT! The man is nuzzling into Jesus's lap in front of all the other disciples. Just..that's just gay. I really don't know what else to say about it. Clearly the medieval illuminators picked up on the affection vibes as well when they drew these.

I'd like to add a bit of a disclaimer here and say that Jesus having romantic or even sexual relationships during His ministry on Earth in no way invalidates who He was, why He came, what He accomplished or who He continues to be. Whether He partnered with Saint John or Saint Mary Magdalene or both, what we know and teach and hold about Him remains unchanged except that scripture is, once again, far more queer than mainline Christianity wants to admit.

[queerjohannite]

I've already messaged a few blogs about this, but does anyone know of any resources for queer/inclusive/progressive Christian Orthodoxy? Cannot for my life find anything that's Orthodox specific unfortunately.

[lost-in-octobers]

God is literally all powerful. He gains nothing from you praying or fasting. If you aren’t committing acts of devotion in the name of improving yourself and your relationship with God and the world you’re going to wind up hating said acts of devotion and for literally no reason because [TikTok loop around to my first two sentences]

[linalina-universe]

I've been praying on this daily. Transgender Christian converts.

Edit: While I do talk about Orthodoxy in this post. I am part of the Episcopal church. I posted this while I was on a journey of faith and It's had it's ups and downs. Please find the church you feel most comfortable in. I've been asking some of the saints, Holy Theotokos, and Jesus our Lord. As well as talking to my Guardian angel as I can. To help Bring my transgender eunuch siblings around the world to Faith in Jesus. Seeing all of the LGBT Christian Blogs recently on Tumblr is making me so Glad. God is Good. God Cares about us. Even if there are teachers in the church who condemn us for being different. Seek Reconciliation, Repentance. Learn to Forgive one another. Learn to Love one another. The path towards Jesus isn't easy. Much learning and Discernment it's a LONG ROAD. But keep learning about Jesus. Don't settle for less, but find a place to plant your roots. If you want to really get into the thick of it learn about Orthodoxy. But it takes time for us to get where we need to be. I do believe God listens to all of His Children though. The Holy spirit is everywhere. I would never judge whether or not a person is damned or saved due to what church they go to. That's up to Jesus, he is the judge. But come as you are. Never let a Church teacher hold Jesus over you do not conform to the whims of man as we are not of this world. Only Conform to the Whims of Jesus. Learn to be humble in life, Obedient to Jesus. Learn about humility. Realize no one person on this earth is any better than another. True humility is a virtue. It takes time to cultivate. We are imperfect. Learn LGBT History, ancient history, learn about eunuchs and Queer Saints. qspirit.net, But realize that many of these things are unkown without a time machine. Be sound in wisdom of our ancestors. Do not be defensive all the time though. Learn when to talk, listen to the silence. Do not let hate, and the machinations of this world such as political ideologies, capitalism control your life. We need money to work in this world. But money and possessions are temporary while Jesus and God are eternal. Pray for the Rich kings and politicians who persecute us pray that they seek Jesus. "It is better to Light a candle than to Curse the Darkness." Do not let the Darkness of media news overtake you. Pray for people around the world suffering. Count your blessings. Realize just how good you might have it. I recommend you learn about the Orthodox Saints of Alaska if you want to learn about actual anti-colonialist Christians. The Saints are wonderful examples of ideal Christian lives. I recommend Trisagion Films on youtube to learn about the saints. While I affirm LGBT relationships and see true Joy in them. I know unless Heaven and Earth are moved. The Orthodox/Romans will never Affirm them. I recommend merely Getting Married under the Law of the Land and then showing up at church. Have a celebration an an episcopal church I love the episcopal angelicans it's a safe respite for us queer Christians. I wish that LGBT marriages had been affirmed decades ago, then maybe some of the self destructive generational trauma we see in the queer community wouldn't exist. But we are a persecuted class and either way people dislike us. I hope someday the Orthodox have church mothers. We need women for the women and girls in the church to confide in. We need equal representation. I understand if not everyone agrees with me. But I love Jesus. I hope that being his servant like the court eunuchs of ancient times can be well pleasing to Him. Eunuchs were seen as angelic. His divine eros fulfills my heart in some ways as someone by tradition of ancient orthodoxy should technically be celibate. Live as yourself and know God loves you. Take your medicine and heal. He will never Give up on you. Art By Devlev on Deviantart. Please support them. They Draw Beautiful Queer art.

[ashmedy]

Found this meme deep in my camera roll, it's an interesting presentation of just one method to approaching the acceptance of queer people and egalitarian practices within Judaism.

[sky-is-the-limit]

My country, Greece, finally legalised gay marriage last night and I can't believe it took us so long to do it since we pretty much invented the thing.

[sorrowfulsouth]

My Jesus and Mother Mary shrine 🩷

(Ft. Saint Basil of Caesarea/Basil the Great)

(Also with a lil crochet bee bc I love bees :D)

[ask-a-queer-jew]

Today is Yom Kippur

Shout out to all the queer Jews who have to explain this holiday to their queer friends.

Shout out to all the queer Jews who have friends that respond with laughter, or calling fasting child abuse, or asking why you even bother.

Shout out to all the queer Jews who feel conflicted over this holiday.

Shout out to all the queer Jews forced to participate (you deserve to make your own choices).

Shout out to all the queer Jews who are in traditional communities, and will read in tomorrow's torah reading that being queer is wrong

Shout out to all the queer Jews who feel the need to repent for their queerness (you are perfect the way you are).

Shout out to all the queer Jews who are tired of lying, and tired of repenting for lying.

Shout out to all the queer Jews who can only think of all the times and all the people they are lying to every time they read Al Chet (על חטא)

Shout out to all the queer Jews who think of how many less sins they'd commit if only they weren't queer.

Shout out to all the queer Jews who do not feel safe today.

Shout out to all the queer Jews who do not know if or when they will ever feel safe on Yom Kippur.

You are all accepted here. You deserve a voice. My DMs are open if you need someone to talk to. This holiday can be challenging, but you will make it through.

[queerorthodoxy]

May all my queer brothers and sisters and siblings feel loved and seen by God today

[orthopunkfox]

So last night, my girlfriend spent the night (she doesn't live with my boyfriend and I yet). I didn't want either of them to have to sleep alone on the couch. After some discussion we all decided to sleep in the same bed with myself in the middle. Folx...I have never felt so loved in my whole life. Having the people I love and who love me both wrap their arms around me, snuggled together was one of the best experiences ever. Not only did I get some of the best sleep I've ever had, but waking up to the two people I love most snuggled up to me is so amazing. I love queer love! I love being t4t and I love being polyamorous. Oh it was even better because my girlfriend is an Orthodox Christian too and so we got up and did morning prayer together ♥️♥️

I should also add that last evening was also just a really great time. My girlfriend came over, my oldest got home from school, my partners and I talked and played with the kids. When they went to bed, it was my boyfriends turn to make dinner (chicken parm, YUM). We ate and had a nice little peach wine my girlfriend brought. We sat on the porch and talked for a few hours and then played Cards Against Humanity for a bit and then watched a movie and went to bed. It was such a pleasant time and I'm just basking in God's love and mercy today, thanking Him for the blessings He brings and the people in my life.

[jellyfishhhhhhhhhhh]

I highly dislike those memes where they show off catholic and orthodox churches and the lavishness of them while making fun of protestant churches for being in strip malls. I can smell the classism through the screen

[barleyteanghibli]

(I lowkey walked myself into this) but reminder that you do not need to ask for forgiveness for being a queer Jew. There is nothing wrong with you. Queer Jews are magical and the world is better with them in it

[ribbonfairymuffin]

lately i started appreciating more what God has done for me. how He's always been there even when i didn't do anything to treasure Him back. and it broke my heart. i believe in God, and i found Him again. it brought me peace knowing that He will always be here for me and i love Him more than anything in this world. the concept of religion might be controversial in our days and age, but i myself believe in having a relationship with God rather than having a religion (hope it makes sense). i started reading the Bible, and honestly some things from there really stuck to me (i don't necessarily agree with some of the points made there, but it is still interesting to read). as a bisexual girl, i realised that if God thought liking the same gender is a sin, He wouldn't have made us this way. God bless you all <3

[teenageascetic]

“Many Jewish sources, however, speak of the commandments as meditative devices, which can bring a person to a high level of G'd consciousness. When the commandments are seen in this light, they assume great spiritual significance.”

-Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan in "Jewish Meditation:A Practical Guide"