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 16, 2013

Prayers to the Patron Saint of Boston


Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone
Neither the desolation of the fens, nor the depth of thy humility could hide the light of thy virtues, whereby thou becamest a lamp unto the faithful, O Botolph our righteous Father. Wherefore, we entreat thee: do thou also enlighten us who venerate thy blessed memory.

Kontakion in the First Tone
The glory of the just, the protector of Boston, the man of mighty prayer, our belov'd Father Botolph, entreateth the Saviour that He show mercy to all of us. Let us honour him with thankful praise, O ye faithful; let us imitate his conversation and virtues, that God hear his prayers for us.

Megalynarion
Boston doth exult on this holy day, for thy deeds, O wise one, are gone up as most fragrant myrrh and sweet smelling incense before the throne of Christ God, O Botolph, our blest Father and teacher in all truth.

Vesperal Doxastikon in the First Tone
Neither the fowls of the air, nor the cares of life, nor the deceitfulness of riches, could harm the good seed sown in thy heart, O Father Botolph. Thou didst bring forth a hundredfold, and thou becamest a great and spreading tree for thy brethren. Wherefore, give us rest in the shade of thy branches, that we might not faint under the burden and heat of the day; shelter our hierarchs from every wind of false doctrine; protect those dwelling in the city named for thee; and intercede with Christ that our souls be saved.

Aposticha in the First Tone
The new Boston danceth with the old on the memory of him for whom they both have received their name and reason to rejoice, even holy Botolph, the beloved man of God, the height of prayer and depth of humility and light of all the Church, who partaketh of the life on high and entreateth Christ to grant us grace and peace.

Though thou ever wast a man of peace, be thou now a man of war, and wage invisible war against our spiteful enemy; shatter his devices, and console us in our wounds, and lead us in the fray till thou bringest us as victors unto Christ, Father Botolph, that we all may stand with great boldness with thee at the Lord's right hand.

Ode Three in Plagal of the Fourth Tone
All that dwell in the city that beareth thy blessed name, shelter in the shade of thy fiery prayers to the God of all, lest that the sun by day or that the moon by night burn us with the heat of sin, which doth wither the world away.

Ode Seven in Plagal of the Fourth Tone
Glory to Father, Son, and Spirit, three eternal Flames of boundless love and glory, giving being and life to all He hath created, and Who, through righteous Botolph's prayers, shineth mercy on us sinners.


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