Date: Wed, 25 May 94 6:15:16 EDT >From: Nicholas P Zymaris Subject: Headlines/Excerpts from Axios Newsletter, Easter 1994 A X I O S Eastern & Orthodox Christian Gay Men and Women P.O. Box 990 Village Station New York, NY 10014-0990 (212) 989 - 6211 EASTER, 1994 by Alexei K. Obituary: Everett Gardner April 27, 1994 .. Next meeting 5/13/94 8 p.m. at the Center; Easter potluck, discuss Stonewall 25 .. Center rent .. BOSWELL'S BOOK DUE OUT IMMINENTLY ..to be published by Random House on its May-June list...hot topic for discussion not only among gay Christians...timely material for the current debate on legalizing gay marriage...most of his evidence is drawn from the liturgical heritage of Eastern church communities. Ideally, Orthodox Christians should take pride in this unique contribution of their heritage to a modern understanding of homosexual love, and should take the lead in eliminating the homophobic bias in Christian traditions.... [ed. - contrasted with "intense horror and denial", etc. in recent discussions on Orthodox list ORTHODOX@IUBVM.BITNET, call to counteract this trend]. ROUNDTABLE ON HOMOSEXUALITY SCHEDULED AT HELLENIC COLLEGE On September 24-25 Hellenic College/Holy Cross in Brookline,MA will sponsor a forum on "Homosexuality: Orthodox Perspectives in View of Insights from Modern Research". Dr. John Chirban, professor of psychology at HC/HC, and Rev. Dr. Stanley Harakas, professor of theology, are to be the coordinators of the event [ed. - both are decidedly anti-gay]. At first glance the purpose of the forum -- engaging a dialogue between traditional Orthodox perspectives on homosexuality and the evidence from modern scientific studies -- seems remarkably progressive and positive. Upon closer inspection of the terms used in the advance publicity [ed. - _Orthodox Observer_, May 1994], however, one quickly comes to understand that the organizers' goals are far from progressive. The emphasis on the etiology of homosexuality, "with particular attention to clinical intervention", makes it clear just what the "progressive" shift in perspective is to be: from homosexuality-as-depravity (a difficult intellectual position to maintain these days without appearing cruel, bigoted or ignorant) to homosexuality-as-illness, complete with obligatory "cure". There is every reason to fear that the organizers will use a lineup of "psychologists" who cling to theories discredited in the mainstream of their field (like Socarides, Nicolosi, and Elizabeth Moberly) to give a bogus "scientific" respectability to things like conversion therapy [ed. - e.g. aversion therapy] and other barbaric notions that are being pushed by the religious right. If some AXIOS members -- especially individuals with a background in psychology or medicine -- were to attend these presentations, they just might have the chance to contribute a different (and more truthful) voice to the forum. More information is available from: The Homosexuality Roundtable, c/o OCAMPR, P.O. Box 958, Cambridge, MA 02238. SAME-SEX LOVE AND MONASTICISM One of our members in Pennsylvania has brought to our attention the glowing description of same-sex love that appears in Abbess Vera Verkhovsky's biography of her uncle _Elder Zosima: Hesychast of Siberia_ (Fr. Seraphim Rose, trans.; St Herman of Alaska Press, Platina, CA 96076). The relationship between Fr. Basilisk (who had been living with a community of hermits) and Zacharias (the future Fr. Zosima) was obviously a passionate and romantic one, far beyond mere affection or friendship, even though it may never have been expressed physically. And yet their monastic colleagues admired and encouraged this love. Our correspondent comments: "Could they have achieved the heights of holiness they did without each other's support and love? Or was it their identical spiritual aspirations that drew them to each other? Which was the cause, and which the effect? One thing is clear: what the West has called 'particular friendships' does not stand in the way of monasticism in the Orthodox church." Orthodox tradition, obviously, considers that the spiritual benefits to be gained through such a love far outweigh its potential "risk" as a temptation to illicit sex. We welcome correspondence and commentary from our members and friends. ...We remind you that AXIOS meetings are at 8:00 pm on the second Friday of every month, at the Lesbian & Gay Community Center, 208 W. 13 St. [near SW corner with 7th Av.] in Manhattan. We wish you all a joyful and blessed Paskha! * * * [excerpted by Nicholas Zymaris ]