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, 2011

Synaxis of Panagia Theoskepasti in Andros



White and majestic is the Church of Panagia Theoskepasti* as it stands near the picturesque port of Andros. It's feast day is celebrated two weeks before Pascha on the day of the Akathist Hymn.

According to tradition, on a stormy night, the icon came from the sea towards the beach with a strange light coming from it. People on the island followed the light that led them to a small cave. Surprised, in the cave, on seaweed, they saw the icon of the Virgin Mary. They venerated it and brought it to the Chapel of St. Athanasios. The next day however the icon returned to the cave! Thus, the islanders decided to build a temple over the cave. Work on building the temple was rapid and the church was almost ready in no time. But the roof was missing because there was no wood. The Panagia helped in that.

There was a boat loaded with wood openly in danger in the sea off the island of Andros. The Captain along with the sailors prayed to the Panagia to save them from imminent danger. Enlightened, the skipper threw the timber into the sea, and so the ship was saved. The timber slowly came to shore near the cave, shipped to the builders in order to cover the church. Because the wood was unexpected and even on time, it was seen as being providential, thus the Church of the Panagia was named "Theoskepasti". It belongs to the Metropolis of Syros.

*“Theoskepasti” from the Greek words “Theos” and “skepazo” which mean “God” and “to veil” respectively. So, the name is "Veiled by God".

Official Site of Panagia Theoskepasti





The feast day of Panagia Theoskepasti in 2009


Pascha 2009 at Panagia Theoskepasti


Pascha 2010 at Panagia Theoskepasti

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