Big story? American (at this point) archbishop baptises famous gay couple’s children in Greece — GetReligion
I think that I will write this post before I start getting emails (one or two from inside the wider circle of current and former GetReligionistas) asking whether or not I will write this post.
But first, before I get to the journalism question for this post, allow me to pause and discuss the meaning of a key term — “Byzantine.” Here is the word in context: To understand the following news story, journalists will need to enter the Byzantine world of Eastern Orthodox polity in North America.
The word “Byzantine,” when used as an adjective, has two definitions. First there is this:
… relating to Byzantium (now Istanbul), the Byzantine Empire, or the Eastern Orthodox Church
Now, that meaning is — sort of — relevant in this case. But this second definition is the one that we need:
… (of a system or situation) excessively complicated, and typically involving a great deal of administrative detail.
When people ask questions about Eastern Orthodox “news,” I frequently have to remind them that Eastern Orthodoxy is not the Church of Rome. We do not have a pope, even if, from time to time, the ecumenical patriarch in Istanbul has tried to promote (with the help of many elite newsrooms) a papal vision of his “first among equals” role among Orthodox patriarchs, stressing “first” instead of “equals.” See: Ukraine.
With that in mind, let’s look at the GreekReporter.com story that ran with this headline: “First Greek Orthodox Baptism for Child of Gay Couple in Greece.” The question: Is this an important “news” story worthy of complex, balanced, accurate coverage in, let’s say, a mainstream publication such as The New York Times? Jumping ahead, my answer is “yes,” but with a heavy emphasis on “complex, balanced, accurate coverage.” Here is the whole story from Greece:
Evanggelos Bousis and Peter Dundas, both of Greek descent, became the first gay couple to hold a Greek Orthodox Baptism for their children in Greece. …
The couple’s children, Alexios and Eleni, were baptized by his Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at the Panagia Faneromeni Church in the southern Athenian suburb of Vouliagmeni.
“Yesterday was truly a special moment not only for my family and me but for our entire Greek Orthodox Church. … Thank you to our great spiritual leader, his Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, for christening the babies and not turning away any child or member of our faith,” George Bousis, brother of Evanggelos Bousis, wrote on Facebook. …
Many social media users considered the step a sign of great progress in the Greek Orthodox Church in terms of acceptance of the LGBT community.
“This is the progress and leadership we need in our church, where no person should ever be denied our Lord because of what they are, how they choose to live their lives, and who they love,” he stated.
George Bousis was also chosen as baby Alexios’s godfather. He stated on social media that “This will forever be a moment I’ll cherish and a commitment I’ll always hold to guide, love, and protect him every step of the way.”
Eugenie Niarchos, daughter of Phillip Niarchos and granddaughter of Stavros Niarchos, served as godmother to the couple’s daughter, Eleni. Italian model Bianca Brandolini was also chosen to be a godmother of the couple’s daughter.
Following the christening, the couple held a party at the Athens Riviera. Famous Greek pop star Anna Vissi was invited to the event and even sang her greatest hits.
Dundas and Bousis are well known figures in the fashion world. Dundas is a designer and has worked for big names like Roberto Cavalli, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Emilio Pucci. He also started his own label, Dundas, and even dressed Beyonce at the 2017 Grammy Awards. Bousis, his husband, is also his partner in business.
All kinds of questions leap to mind, in this case (some of which may have been answered in social media). Apparently, the youngest child was born to a surrogate mother — a relevant fact under Orthodox tradition. Hold that thought.
