| What is Mission St. Sergius An Open Welcoming and Affirming Catholic Ministry of the Franciscans of Divine Mercy and Love of God |
History of Saints Sergius and Bacchus
Sergius and Bacchus were soldiers in the Roman army, attached to the household of the
Emperor Maximilian. They were Christians. And they were lovers.
But it was not for their sexuality these young men were canonized. It was for their faith --
one of history's most poignant ironies, given the church's unflinching campaign against gay
love. When ordered to enter the Temple of Jupiter to participate in a sacrificial ceremony
to the god, they refused. For this act of defiance, the lovers were stripped of their arms and
badges of rank, dressed in women's clothing and led through the streets of Arabissus (near
Comana in Cappadocia) -- for a Roman soldier, an abject humiliation. Then they were sent
to Resapha in Syria (Augusta Euphratesiae in Mesopotamia), where they were tortured.
Bacchus was whipped until his flesh was raw; he died October 1st AD290, confessing his
faith in Christ.
Sergius's faith faltered with the death of his lover, but was reinforced when Bacchus
appeared to him in a vision saying, "I am still with you in the bond of our union." Sergius
kept the faith; after torture, he was beheaded on October 7th AD290. Like his lover, he died
a martyr to the new religion.
The tomb of S. Sergius at Resapha become a famous shrine and was honored by great
gatherings of Christians because of the frequent miracles there. Sergius and Bacchus
became the heavenly protectors of the Byzantine army, with the two Theodores, Demetrius,
Procopius and George. Their "acts" are preserved in Latin, Greek and Syria. In AD431,
Bishop Alexander of Hierapolis built a magnificent church in his honor. In 434, the town of
Resapha was raised to the rank of an episcopal see and was named Sergiopolis and soon
became one of the greatest pilgrimage centers of the East. Many churches in many towns
bore the name of Sergius (sometimes with Bacchus) and in the seventh century, a church
was dedicated to them in Rome.
During the Middle Ages, the relationship of Sergius and Bacchus was considered an
exemplar of compassionate union, and possibly even marriage, based on agape (brotherly
love) and mutual respect.
The East, Sergius and Bacchus were universally honored. Since the seventh century they
have a celebrated church in Rome. Christian art represents the two saints as soldiers in
military garb with branches of palm in their hands. Their feast is observed on 7 October.
Sergius and Bacchus were soldiers in the Roman army, attached to the household of the
Emperor Maximilian. They were Christians. And they were lovers.
But it was not for their sexuality these young men were canonized. It was for their faith --
one of history's most poignant ironies, given the church's unflinching campaign against gay
love. When ordered to enter the Temple of Jupiter to participate in a sacrificial ceremony
to the god, they refused. For this act of defiance, the lovers were stripped of their arms and
badges of rank, dressed in women's clothing and led through the streets of Arabissus (near
Comana in Cappadocia) -- for a Roman soldier, an abject humiliation. Then they were sent
to Resapha in Syria (Augusta Euphratesiae in Mesopotamia), where they were tortured.
Bacchus was whipped until his flesh was raw; he died October 1st AD290, confessing his
faith in Christ.
Sergius's faith faltered with the death of his lover, but was reinforced when Bacchus
appeared to him in a vision saying, "I am still with you in the bond of our union." Sergius
kept the faith; after torture, he was beheaded on October 7th AD290. Like his lover, he died
a martyr to the new religion.
The tomb of S. Sergius at Resapha become a famous shrine and was honored by great
gatherings of Christians because of the frequent miracles there. Sergius and Bacchus
became the heavenly protectors of the Byzantine army, with the two Theodores, Demetrius,
Procopius and George. Their "acts" are preserved in Latin, Greek and Syria. In AD431,
Bishop Alexander of Hierapolis built a magnificent church in his honor. In 434, the town of
Resapha was raised to the rank of an episcopal see and was named Sergiopolis and soon
became one of the greatest pilgrimage centers of the East. Many churches in many towns
bore the name of Sergius (sometimes with Bacchus) and in the seventh century, a church
was dedicated to them in Rome.
During the Middle Ages, the relationship of Sergius and Bacchus was considered an
exemplar of compassionate union, and possibly even marriage, based on agape (brotherly
love) and mutual respect.
The East, Sergius and Bacchus were universally honored. Since the seventh century they
have a celebrated church in Rome. Christian art represents the two saints as soldiers in
military garb with branches of palm in their hands. Their feast is observed on 7 October.
Our Mission begins it's Fourth Year
Beginning in April Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus will celebrate it's founding with the
establishment of Yahoo group for the ministry. We are now reaching more than 3000
individuals all over the globe through our web site, yahoo and MSN groups, and by posting
other open and affirming Christian groups and on web blog sites like MY CHURCH, HI5,
FACEBOOK, and others.
The mission was founded because I found very little being done in the Boston diocese and
throughout most of the New England region by the Roman Catholic Church to encourage
people who have felt alienated and rejected because of divorce, or their sexual orientation or
who had become disenchanted and angered because of the horrific molestation scandal that
rocked the church and the actions of the hierarchy.
I attempted to have the local parishes support the mission similar to the one which Cardinal
Roger Mahoney of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles founded 25 years ago which I worked
with until my retirement in 2001. I was not only rejected but told that I was being a heretic
because I was advocating something that was against church policy even though the
conference of Catholic Bishops published statements in ALWAYS OUR CHILDREN and A
CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE FOR EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING page 55
and TO LIVE IN CHRIST JESUS page 19 and in HUMAN SEXUALITY, A CATHOLIC
PERSPECTIVE outlining how GLBT Catholics should be welcomed and loved by their
families and treated with compassion and acceptance within the parish community.
I cannot say that at the time I did not have doubts, but because of the events that happened
quickly after my founding the Yahoo group, I became assured that this was indeed the will
of God.
Within two weeks of establishing the group, I received a letter by informing me that I would
be welcomed as member of the Franciscan order, not only that, but upon reviewing my
credentials and references, they decided that I qualified to be ordained a priest and so on
The feast of The Assumption, August 15th I was ordained at Georgetown University.
Since the establishment of the mission Yahoo 360 Blog page it has been visited and averages
50 hits a day. In addition I visit with about 12 people in the New England area on a regular
basis bring the Eucharist and praying and counseling them and respond to questions from
people outside of the new England area via the phone and Internet.
We hope to obtain a permanent place to celebrate daily and Sunday mass for the faith
community we are developing but because of financial constraints the mission is limited to
spreading the message by way of the Internet, Phone and postal mail and an occasional
event like the Boston Pride Festival. Our message of God's infinite mercy and love for all His
children regardless of their race, creed or sexual or marital situation is one that has been
received with thanksgiving by people of all denominations and even receives the respect and
praise of many "hard line Roman Catholics".
Though the inconveniences of not having a permanent place of worship do frustrate me, I
know there is so much to be done and I am grateful to God for the affirmation He gives me
each and every day in the thankful letters and phone calls I receive.
I pray, that in my humble way I may somehow be an faithful instrument of Almighty God in
the rebuilding and reunification of The One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church and in
renewing the faith and love of Almighty God in those who have left because of feeling
unwanted, rejected, or disenchanted with the dictates of a church that is not living the
teachings of Jesus Christ.
I ask you to pray that Almighty God will continue to give me; the strength, endurance and
the means to carry on the growth and work of the Mission through His Love and that God
guide me through the Holy Spirit to find and reach out to those who are hurting with the
message of His love and mercy, instilling in them an ever increasing faith and the knowledge
to know and understand His will for them.
The power of prayer and frequent reception of the Eucharist can overcome all obstacles.
May Almighty God continue to bless the work of all who are dedicated to proclaiming His
truth and may He put the events in action for a unification of all who proclaim Jesus Savior
and Redeemer.
Rev. Robert Francis Johnnene OFD
Beginning in April Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus will celebrate it's founding with the
establishment of Yahoo group for the ministry. We are now reaching more than 3000
individuals all over the globe through our web site, yahoo and MSN groups, and by posting
other open and affirming Christian groups and on web blog sites like MY CHURCH, HI5,
FACEBOOK, and others.
The mission was founded because I found very little being done in the Boston diocese and
throughout most of the New England region by the Roman Catholic Church to encourage
people who have felt alienated and rejected because of divorce, or their sexual orientation or
who had become disenchanted and angered because of the horrific molestation scandal that
rocked the church and the actions of the hierarchy.
I attempted to have the local parishes support the mission similar to the one which Cardinal
Roger Mahoney of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles founded 25 years ago which I worked
with until my retirement in 2001. I was not only rejected but told that I was being a heretic
because I was advocating something that was against church policy even though the
conference of Catholic Bishops published statements in ALWAYS OUR CHILDREN and A
CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE FOR EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING page 55
and TO LIVE IN CHRIST JESUS page 19 and in HUMAN SEXUALITY, A CATHOLIC
PERSPECTIVE outlining how GLBT Catholics should be welcomed and loved by their
families and treated with compassion and acceptance within the parish community.
I cannot say that at the time I did not have doubts, but because of the events that happened
quickly after my founding the Yahoo group, I became assured that this was indeed the will
of God.
Within two weeks of establishing the group, I received a letter by informing me that I would
be welcomed as member of the Franciscan order, not only that, but upon reviewing my
credentials and references, they decided that I qualified to be ordained a priest and so on
The feast of The Assumption, August 15th I was ordained at Georgetown University.
Since the establishment of the mission Yahoo 360 Blog page it has been visited and averages
50 hits a day. In addition I visit with about 12 people in the New England area on a regular
basis bring the Eucharist and praying and counseling them and respond to questions from
people outside of the new England area via the phone and Internet.
We hope to obtain a permanent place to celebrate daily and Sunday mass for the faith
community we are developing but because of financial constraints the mission is limited to
spreading the message by way of the Internet, Phone and postal mail and an occasional
event like the Boston Pride Festival. Our message of God's infinite mercy and love for all His
children regardless of their race, creed or sexual or marital situation is one that has been
received with thanksgiving by people of all denominations and even receives the respect and
praise of many "hard line Roman Catholics".
Though the inconveniences of not having a permanent place of worship do frustrate me, I
know there is so much to be done and I am grateful to God for the affirmation He gives me
each and every day in the thankful letters and phone calls I receive.
I pray, that in my humble way I may somehow be an faithful instrument of Almighty God in
the rebuilding and reunification of The One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church and in
renewing the faith and love of Almighty God in those who have left because of feeling
unwanted, rejected, or disenchanted with the dictates of a church that is not living the
teachings of Jesus Christ.
I ask you to pray that Almighty God will continue to give me; the strength, endurance and
the means to carry on the growth and work of the Mission through His Love and that God
guide me through the Holy Spirit to find and reach out to those who are hurting with the
message of His love and mercy, instilling in them an ever increasing faith and the knowledge
to know and understand His will for them.
The power of prayer and frequent reception of the Eucharist can overcome all obstacles.
May Almighty God continue to bless the work of all who are dedicated to proclaiming His
truth and may He put the events in action for a unification of all who proclaim Jesus Savior
and Redeemer.
Rev. Robert Francis Johnnene OFD
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