Adelphopoiesis

What the rite involves

The ceremony established participants as spiritual brothers through specific prayers found in Byzantine manuscripts. A key physical act was the exchange of baptismal crosses, which the partners wore for life. This private exchange symbolized their shared faith and mutual support. Unlike marriage rites, the adelphopoiesis did not include crowning. The ritual drew on saintly examples like Sergius and Bacchus to frame the union as holy and enduring.

Scholarly debates

Modern attention to this practice began with historian John Boswell, who argued it functioned as a same-sex marriage. His view sparked intense debate among academics and religious leaders. Critics like Claudia Rapp suggested the rite was merely for monastic companionship or political pacts. The Greek Orthodox Church rejects the marriage interpretation, translating the term as fraternization. Some scholars point to Serbian records showing romantic elements in similar local traditions.

Theological meaning

Priest Pavel Florensky described the bond as a community molecule that transcends individualism. He saw it as combining different forms of love into a single philic devotion. The relationship relied on shared Eucharist and co-martyrdom rather than sexual intimacy. Florensky compared the ideal friendship to that of David and Jonathan, emphasizing loyalty and spiritual insight over utilitarian gain.

How Adelphopoiesis is kept

Two participants stood before a priest who recited prayers invoking saints known for close bonds. They exchanged baptismal crosses, wearing them as permanent tokens of their spiritual brotherhood. The ritual focused on shared faith and mutual support without the crowning found in marriage ceremonies.

When and where

The practice existed from the ninth to the fifteenth centuries in manuscripts and continued in some regions until the early twentieth century.

It originated in the Byzantine tradition and spread through Eastern Orthodox communities in Greece, Russia, and Serbia.

What Adelphopoiesis means

The exchange of crosses represented a shared life in Christ. The rite aimed to create a sacred kinship that provided emotional and spiritual stability. It framed same-sex friendship as a holy vocation capable of sustaining believers through hardship.

Who takes part

• The participants: Exchange baptismal crosses and accept spiritual brotherhood
• The priest: Recites the binding prayers and oversees the ritual

Then and now

The practice is no longer performed as a standard church rite. It remains a subject of academic study and theological discussion regarding the history of same-sex relationships in Christianity.

On the wedding table

Symbols: Water and washing

Questions people ask about Adelphopoiesis

See also

Eastern Orthodox marriageThe Byzantine Rite ceremony where a priest crowns the couple to seal their union in Christ.Kazakh wedding ceremonyThe multi-stage Kazakh marriage process featuring the face-revealing feast and the Islamic religious contract.MantillaA lace or silk veil worn over the head and shoulders by women in Spain and Latin AmericaSame-sex marriage in GreeceThe legal recognition of marriage between two people of the same sex, effective since February 2024.

Good reading and sources

• Adelphopoiesis on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Wedding customs differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.