ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY THEN AND NOW: Turmoil In Kalymnos Over "Sacred" Slipper

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.

November 22, 2010

Turmoil In Kalymnos Over "Sacred" Slipper

November 22, 2010
Romfea.gr

Turmoil prevails in Kalymnos over charlatans who are walking around the island to peoples homes, on the streets and in the squares carrying a box in which they say is a "slipper" which belongs to a Saint.

These crooks ask the faithful to venerate the "sacred" slipper leaving always a donation which ends up in their pocket.

Metropolitan Paisios of Kalymnos, Leros, and Astypalea took a position on this and asked the faithful not to be scandalized by those who play with God.

On this matter the Holy Diocese issued the following statement:

"From the Sacred Metropolis is announced that without its authorization there is wandering in homes, streets and squares of Kalymnos, a box within which is a supposed slipper of a saint to be venerated by the faithful.

This act excites the religious feelings and creates multiple comments by the faithful. Therefore, the Metropolis encourages the faithful to refrain from works and activities outside the Church which scandalizes the pious Kalymnian People."

Translated by John Sanidopoulos