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.



April 8, 2016

Holy New Martyr John the Naukleros (+ 1669)

St. John the Naukleros (Feast Day - April 8)

Verses

You sailed the sea of fire in life,
And arrived at the calm harbor O Naukleros.

John was a boatswain (naukleros) from the island of Kos who was forcibly converted to Islam while not in a right mental state. When he came to his senses, he threw off the white Turkish turban from his head and Turkish clothing and put on the clothing of the Orthodox Christians. Breaking out in tears of repentance for what happened to him, he began to live as a Christian once more.

When the Turks saw that he reverted back to Christianity, they fell upon him and gave him a severe beating. He was then taken to prison where every possible way was made to bring him back to Islam and save his life. To all this John responded: "I believe in my Lord Jesus Christ and I confess Him to be the true God with all my heart and soul. He will come to judge the entire world, both the living and the dead. As for your religion, I reject it and I am ready to suffer whatever torments you inflict upon me for the love of my Christ."

Seeing that he remained steadfast in his faith in Christ, they beat him again and brought him before the judge, by whom he was sentenced to be burned alive. Thus on April 8, 1669 the Martyr of Christ was burned alive in Kos, and received the heavenly crown. A Divine Service was composed in his honor by Monk Gerasimos Mikragiannanites.



The Church of Saint John the Naukleros

The Church of Saint John the Naukleros in Kos Town was built in the early 15th century and originally dedicated to Saint John the Baptist (the patron saint of the Knights of Saint John who ruled the island at that time). It was in a ruined state before 1861, when the Community of Kos decided to undertake its conservation. After the earthquake of 1933, it was found that the church was built upon the important twin sanctuary of Aphrodite. So for the sanctuary to be revealed, it was decided in 1943 to relocate it in a northwest part of the area. In 1947 the church was dedicated by the Metropolitan of Kos, Emmanuel Karpathiou, to the Koan Neomartyr, Saint John the Naukleros (Boatswain).


Apolytikion in the Third Tone
You are a divine offspring of Kos, who praise your contests, all-praised John the Naukleros, and you emulated the trials of the Athletes, having completed the struggle through fire. Glorious Martyr, entreat Christ God, to grant us the great mercy.

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