Middle East Archives

دعای مسیح رنگین کمان (Rainbow Christ Prayer in Persian)

A Persian translation of the Rainbow Christ Prayer shows the many faces of the queer Christ. Rainbow Christ, you embody all the colors of the world. Rainbows serve as bridges between different realms: heaven and earth, east and west, queer and non-queer. Inspire us to...

תפילת משיח קשת בענן (Rainbow Christ Prayer in Hebrew)

by Kittredge Cherry | | Calendar

Hebrew and Arabic translations of the Rainbow Christ Prayer are being posted simultaneously at Q Spirit to show support for LGBTQ people affected by the recent violence in Israel and Gaza. The prayer shows the many faces of the queer Christ. Colors of the LGBTQ...

صلاة قوس قزح المسيح (Rainbow Christ Prayer in Arabic)

by Kittredge Cherry | | Calendar

Arabic and Hebrew translations of the Rainbow Christ Prayer are being posted simultaneously at Q Spirit to show support for LGBTQ people affected by the recent violence in Israel and Gaza. The prayer shows the many faces of the queer Christ. Colors of the LGBTQ...

Queer saint Matrona / Babylas of Perge founded 5th-century convent of nuns who dressed as men

by Kittredge Cherry | | Nov. 1-15, Saints

Saint Matrona of Perge, who lived as a eunuch named Babylas, founded a convent where nuns dressed as men in 5th-century Constantinople. The feast day of Matrona / Babylas is Nov. 9. Nuns under the leadership of Matrona / Babylas were granted a unique privilege by the...

Rumi: Poet and Sufi mystic inspired by same-sex love

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 15-30

Rumi is a 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic whose love for another man inspired some of the world’s best poems and led to the creation of a new religious order, the Whirling Dervishes. He was born Sept. 30, 1207 in Afghanistan. With sensuous beauty and deep...

Symeon of Emesa and John: Holy fool and hermit who loved each other

by Kittredge Cherry | | July 16-31, Saints

Sixth-century Syrian monks Symeon and John were joined in a same-sex union and lived together as desert-dwelling hermits for 29 years. After a tearful split-up, Symeon went on to become known as the Holy Fool of Emesa, the patron saint of all holy fools (and...

Marinos / Marina the Monk: Transgender parenting role model and patron saint

by Kittredge Cherry | | June 16-30, Saints

Marinos or Marina the Monk has been called a patron saint of transgender parenting or a cross-dressing saint. Assigned female at birth, Marina adopted the name Marinos and entered a monastery as a man in fifth-century Lebanon. Marinos embraced a male identity from...

Saints Basil and Gregory Nazianzus: “Two bodies with a single spirit”

by Kittredge Cherry | | May 1-15, Saints

Influential fourth-century saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus were so close that Gregory said they were like “two bodies with a single spirit.” Their example of love between men can be an inspiration for LGBTQ people and allies today. The pair is...

Apollinaria / Dorotheos: Queer saint crossed gender line to become a monk in 5th-century Egypt

by Kittredge Cherry | | Jan 1-15, Saints

Apollinaria of Egypt or Dorotheos has been called a transgender icon or a cross-dressing saint. Assigned female at birth, Apollinaria adopted the name Dorotheos and entered a monastery as a man in fifth-century Egypt. This saint is honored by churches on Jan. 4-5 and...

Charles de Foucauld: Saint of the Sahara had gay connections | Canonized May 15, 2022 by Pope

by Kittredge Cherry | | Dec 1-15, Saints

Charles de Foucauld was a French priest and desert hermit in early 20th-century Algeria who had gay connections. He is one of 10 new saints canonized by Pope Francis on May 15, 2022. His feast day is Dec. 1. Sometimes called the saint of the Sahara, he created the...