Saint Cyprian on Cross Dressing

In reading through the works of Saint Cyprian - the 3rd century bishop of Carthage - I came across an interesting letter written to Euchratius (likely a priest in his jurisdiction) around 249 A.D. The content, which was interesting, is also quite timely 1,700 years later, so I thought I would summarize it. 

Euchratius had written to the bishop (we do not have his letter) asking for counsel on how to deal with a parishioner who acts on the theatrical stage as a female, and also teaches younger men the art of impersonation, as women were not allowed upon the stage.  Specifically the priest asks if the man should be allowed to continue in communion with the church.  In reply, Cyprian - who referred to the man's trade as a "discredit" and labeled his "instruction" as the "destruction of boys,” - proceeded to instruct Euchratius as follows:

1. It does not benefit the divine majesty nor the discipline of the gospel that the church should be polluted by so disgraceful and infamous contagion.  The Law (Mosaic) forbid men to wear women's clothes (see Deut. 22:5), and those that offended were judged accursed.  How much greater is the crime not only to wear women's clothes but also to express base and effeminate and luxurious gestures by the teaching of an immodest art!  [Undoubtedly, Cyprian who was well versed in Sacred Scripture, understood that to act in an effeminate way – on stage or off – was a grave sin against God.  The Apostle Paul tells us (I Cor. 6:9) that the effeminate, adulterers, fornicators, idolaters, and homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Such a righteous judgment by God stresses not only the critical nature of proper sexual morality, but also gender identity.]

2. Cyprian continues that it is unacceptable for him to give up the arts and persist in teaching others, for by teaching his trade he is only substituting others in his place.  Against God, he shows a boy how to change his sex through art, and gratifies the devil through the polluting of the divine image.

3.  Lastly, Cyprian states that if the man complains of unemployment, let him ask for assistance from the church, the means of which are meager but innocent. Make certain he does not think he is being paid to cease from sinning, since this is not an advantage to us but to himself.  And, as much as you are able to, lead him away from this depravity and disgrace and toward the way of innocence and hope of eternal life. If your church is unable to meet his needs, let him come to us and we will help with necessary food and clothing so that he will not teach deadly things to others outside the church, but learn wholesome things in the church.

This letter of Cyprian was brief, but packs a wallop of a message that survives to this day. First, he stands up for correct doctrine – there is no wishy-washy social acceptivism (I made that word up…sorry) when it comes to Cyprian.  What God stands for is always right.  Second, he desires to provide for the man (charity) and encourage him in the right path, thus upholding not only the dignity of this man, but of all men and women.

This letter provoked much thought on my part about how I view, of all things, comedy.

How many of us have laughed at cross-dressing actors?  Think about it for a moment.  Under the guise of comedy, a sin against God is perpetuated.  And when you think about it, comedy is an ideal vehicle for smoothing over sinful conduct.  Just a few examples would be the Ellen DeGeneres Show (where she introduced the TV audience to her lesbianism), Will & Grace, and, of course the more recent Modern Family.  Many of us laughed at movies like “The Bird Cage” and “Mrs. Doubtfire” and I have nearly fallen off my chair watching re-runs of Flip Wilson as “Geraldine.”  And yet, funny as these may be, I had to ask myself if that is proper humor for my mind and spirit?  For under the guise of laughter, these programs are an attempt, not to entertain, but to sanitize and normalize otherwise unrighteous behavior. 

Harsh conclusion?  Perhaps, especially for those of us who enjoy a good laugh.  In light of eternity, however, and considering my relationship with my Lord and Savior, I have to ask myself if a tear-wrenching joke or hearty guffaw are worth offending God.

I wonder what Cyprian would say today about gender mutilation to become a sex not assigned naturally at birth?