Well, hello men of 2014!
In what is probably the sexiest way to start the new year, a calendar created by a group of Romanian Orthodox Christians features hot male models (who are members of the Orthodox Church) in - and out - of religious robes.
The group says on its website that the racy calendar is a tribute to gay marriage, which, as they point out, is a timely issue what with the Supreme Court halting gay marriage in Utah and Russia's vocal anti-LGBT rights stance.
The creators of the calendar obviously have no problem with gay rights, and even wrote a very positive message on their site: "LOVE IS LOVE – ORTHODOX OR NOT!" (We couldn't agree more!)
But on to those steamy pics: One photo shows a fully nude model lying on a bed with his hands clutching rosary beads and his head bowed as if in prayer; another pic shows a male couple having breakfast in the kitchen with one of them dressed in a priest's robes and the other sporting white briefs and nothing else. (Rawr!)
The calendars, which were first published in 2012, are a way to counteract prejudice against the LGBT community.
The website says:
"The primary goal was to demonstrate that Orthodox believers do not all fit the backward, hidebound stereotype portrayed in the press but rather are regular people with passions, preferences, interests and desires.
Through their pictures, OC’s creative team seek to counteract the negative and outdated influences of most of the Orthodox church leadership. While recognizing that change might not come quickly to the official Orthodox church position, OC nonetheless believes that at least it can encourage people (believers or not) to reflect and realize that their speech / ideas no longer fit modern society."
(Warning: Some photos are NSFW)
