Matthew was 21 years old when he was violently attacked and left for dead in Laramie, Wyoming, because he was openly gay.
His parents say they're "proud and relieved to have a final resting place for Matthew's ashes."
The religion of Antinous honors Matthew Shepard, who died at 12:53 am on Monday, October 12th, 1998, as a saint of Antinous.
He was brutally assaulted because he was gay, on the night of October 7, by two men who had lured him to a secluded place outside of Laramie Wyoming.
His attackers tied him to a fence, beat him and left him for dead in the freezing cold.
He was found the following evening by a cyclist.
By the time help arrived, he had slipped into unconsciousness.
The death of Matthew Shepard awakened the world to the persecution that homosexuals have endured for centuries. His beauty, youth and innocence affected everyone, and spoke for the hundreds of others who in recent years have died similar deaths without being noticed.
Matthew Shepard is a Sacred and Holy Martyr of Homosexuality, he died an innocent because he was gay. He died a death that so many others have suffered, but his death changed the world.
He was 22 years old, very near the age of Antinous and, like Antinous, his beautiful face, humble origin, and tragic death have had a great impact on the future of homosexuality in our society.
We consecrate his memory and pray for him, that he will guide and protect us in our hour of danger, and bring an end to the violence and hatred that he suffered.
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