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 14, 2017

Saint Nomon the Wonderworker of Cyprus

St. Nomon the Wonderworker (Feast Day - December 11)

We do not have much information about Saint Nomon. He lived as an ascetic in the region of Tamassos in Cyprus. His simplicity, wisdom and paternal counsels drew suffering people who thirsted for some rest to him like a magnet, and out of his love for mankind God granted him the gift to work miracles. However, he desired to live alone in prayer and constant communication with God, and was unable to attain that which he longed for.

For this reason, because this Saint moved around a lot, we have many caves/hermitages associated with the Saint in the region of Tamassos. One of these caves is located near the village of Anagyia, where there are two churches dedicated to the Saint, one older church east of the village and one newer to the west of the village which is dedicated to both Saint Nomon and Saint Vehanios (both are commemorated on the same day). It is believed that Saint Nomon reposed in the cave at this village.

Apolytikion in the First Tone
Boast of Tamassos and praise of Cyprus, and you were seen as wonderworkers, Venerable Vehanios and Nomon. You subjected the flesh by fasting, as well as irrational remembrances. Wherefore you received the grace of healing from heaven, divinely-inspired ones. Glory to Him Who strengthens us, as well as crowns us, glory to Him Who works through you all manner of healings.

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