Having entered the Christmas season, we ask those who find the work of the Mystagogy Resource Center beneficial to them to help us continue our work with a generous financial gift as you are able. As an incentive, we are offering the following booklet.

In 1909 the German philosopher Arthur Drews wrote a book called "The Myth of Christ", which New Testament scholar Bart D. Ehrman has called "arguably the most influential mythicist book ever produced," arguing that Jesus Christ never existed and was simply a myth influenced by more ancient myths. The reason this book was so influential was because Vladimir Lenin read it and was convinced that Jesus never existed, thus justifying his actions in promoting atheism and suppressing the Orthodox Church in the Soviet Union. Moreover, the ideologues of the Third Reich would go on to implement the views of Drews to create a new "Aryan religion," viewing Jesus as an Aryan figure fighting against Jewish materialism. 

Due to the tremendous influence of this book in his time, George Florovsky viewed the arguments presented therein as very weak and easily refutable, which led him to write a refutation of this text which was published in Russian by the YMCA Press in Paris in 1929. This apologetic brochure titled "Did Christ Live? Historical Evidence of Christ" was one of the first texts of his published to promote his Neopatristic Synthesis, bringing the patristic heritage to modern historical and cultural conditions. With the revival of these views among some in our time, this text is as relevant today as it was when it was written. 

Never before published in English, it is now available for anyone who donates at least $20 to the Mystagogy Resource Center upon request (please specify in your donation that you want the book). Thank you.



December 26, 2016

The Miraculous Icon of the Panagia of Bethlehem


The miraculous icon of the Panagia Bethlehemitissa (Παναγίας της Βηθλεεμίτισσας), or Panagia of Bethlehem, is located in the Basilica of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem in a special place of veneration near the entrance to the Holy Cave in which Christ was born.

The icon is known for its sweet eyes and calm smile which brings joy and sweetness to the hearts of the faithful. It is of unknown origin, though it is said it has its origins in Russia and was probably brought to Bethlehem by Tsarina Catherine the Great. The Holy Virgin had performed a miracle for Catherine, so Catherine donated her imperial garments to adorn the "Mistress of the World". Also, according to tradition, she gave her imperial jewelry to adorn the icon, and since that time no Tsarina wore diamonds and such since it was reserved for the "Queen of Heaven" alone.

The holy icon of Panagia of Bethlehem celebrates the day after Christmas on December 26, which is the feast of the Synaxis of the Theotokos.



Apolytikion
You bless all those who hasten with faith to venerate your sacred image, O Mother of God, gushing forth healings, Bethlehemitissa, as a strong-flowing river. And do not cease to protect those who radiantly glorify your all-revered Son, Who did not depart from the Father's bosom, and, in an unspeakable manner, received mortal flesh from your blood.

The icon in Ptolemaida of Northern Greece in 2009


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