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.



July 25, 2012

Saint Anna's Chapel in Dumont, Colorado


Saint Anna's Chapel in Dumont, Colorado is on land in the Colorado mountains that was a private donation to the Greek Orthodox Church. They built the chapel around the natural rock fomation that you see in the photo. This mosaic is hand-created. It depicts the Grandmother of God with the Virgin Mary. Saint Anna's retreat was named after the benefactor, who bears the same name as the Grandmother of God. A sign at the chapel declares, "nothing is more sacred than motherhood."

This retreat is peaceful and the spirit of God is present. Besides the chapel, there are trails which lead to other sacred icons besides rippling streams. One can rest by the Virgin Mary icon to reflect, pray, and be still. All are welcome to visit. The retreat is located a mile west of Idaho Springs, Colorado. Exit at Dumont and go north on Old Mill Creek road for two miles.





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