| What is Mission St. Sergius An Open Welcoming and Affirming Old 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.
Mission enters 6th 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 so quickly after my
founding the Yahoo group, I have became assured that this was indeed the will of God even if it meant I had to leave
the church of Rome to embrace a church I feel more closely reflects Christ's teachings while still embracing the truths
of the early church, the sacraments, feast days, liturgy and devotions I revere.
Within two weeks of establishing the group, I received a letter by informing me that I would be welcomed as member
of a Franciscan order, not only that, but upon reviewing my credentials and references, they decided that I was more
than 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 more than 2000 hits a
month. In addition I visit with about 12 people in the New England area on a regular basis bring the Eucharist and
praying and counseling to them and respond to questions from people outside of the new England area via the phone
and through the Internet.
As an independent Old Catholic Church in New England I celebrate Eucharist and other liturgical services where ever I
am asked to celebrate prayer services and liturgies including peoples homes.
It is our prayer and desire to obtain a permanent place suitable for a Mission home/chapel/office where our the faith
community we are developing can come together for liturgy, spiritual and social gatherings and outreach to the greater
community by sponsoring food distribution and other social services. The current financial constraints of the mission
have limited the ways we can spread the message of God's Infinite mercy and love for ALL His children. Just
maintaining Phone, Our Web Site, postal mailings and an occasional event like the Boston Pride Festival has the
ministry with a financial shortfall of over $3000.
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 so quickly after my
founding the Yahoo group, I have became assured that this was indeed the will of God even if it meant I had to leave
the church of Rome to embrace a church I feel more closely reflects Christ's teachings while still embracing the truths
of the early church, the sacraments, feast days, liturgy and devotions I revere.
Within two weeks of establishing the group, I received a letter by informing me that I would be welcomed as member
of a Franciscan order, not only that, but upon reviewing my credentials and references, they decided that I was more
than 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 more than 2000 hits a
month. In addition I visit with about 12 people in the New England area on a regular basis bring the Eucharist and
praying and counseling to them and respond to questions from people outside of the new England area via the phone
and through the Internet.
As an independent Old Catholic Church in New England I celebrate Eucharist and other liturgical services where ever I
am asked to celebrate prayer services and liturgies including peoples homes.
It is our prayer and desire to obtain a permanent place suitable for a Mission home/chapel/office where our the faith
community we are developing can come together for liturgy, spiritual and social gatherings and outreach to the greater
community by sponsoring food distribution and other social services. The current financial constraints of the mission
have limited the ways we can spread the message of God's Infinite mercy and love for ALL His children. Just
maintaining Phone, Our Web Site, postal mailings and an occasional event like the Boston Pride Festival has the
ministry with a financial shortfall of over $3000.
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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