Born in Lydia according to my old Encyclopaedia Britannica. Not Lydda. That makes him Turkish by modern geography. His lifestyle comes, I suppose from as you say, his association with the Greeks. he is certainly held up as a hero in Gay pride marches, mainly to wind up the right wing "groups" trying to disrupt them.

Wikipedia says Palestine too, and my book may be wrong. Funny old world. You read things as a child and take them on board.

Best be careful what you teach children then, eh Jack?