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.



August 10, 2011

The Monastery of Panagia of "Toso Nero" In Sifnos


On August 15th a monastery south of Kamaron on the island of Sifnos that goes by the strange name of "Toso Nero" ("So Much Water") is celebrated. According to tradition in Sifnos, a family on the island is chosen which they call "Panigyrades" to hold the old icon of the Dormition of the Theotokos in their home for the year. When the time for the feast arrives they take care of all the expenses for the festival. A procession takes place throughout the streets of the island and some Panigyrades even hold a dinner for the people that follow the procession. Chickpea soup accompanied with meat and wine is the traditional meal for this feast. Following the meal there is dancing and traditional music.









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