On Valentine's Day, we saw the ritual glorification of same-sex relations ("Gay couples fight for rights with a kiss," Feb. 15). Although I don't write to bash those who commit such acts, or to say they have no right to express themselves publicly, I write to represent the beliefs of the Orthodox Christian community.

As Orthodox Christians, we believe homosexuality offends the God who created us. Had God intended homosexuality to be natural, he wouldn't have bothered creating men and women. As it stands, he did. To make sure we didn't misinterpret our natural urges, he included in his revealed word a prohibition against such acts, found in Leviticus 18:22.

It should be noted that we detest only the act and not those who commit the act. If Christ were willing to die for the sins of the world to save his creation, it would be a mark of ingratitude for Christians to treat those who commit gay acts as being unworthy of compassion.