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 1, 2013

Saints John of Shavta and Eulogius the Prophet and Fool for Christ

Sts. John of Shavta and Eulogius the Prophet (Feast Day - April 1)

The great Georgian hymnographer, philosopher, and orator Saint John of Shavta labored in the 12th and 13th centuries, during the reign of the holy queen Tamar. Few details of his life have been preserved, but we know that he received his education at Gelati Academy, where he studied theology, ancient and Arabic history, philosophy, and literature. He was later tonsured a monk and labored at Vardzia Monastery.

The Venerable Eulogius was born in Georgia and lived during the time of Queen Tamar (1184-1213). Because he loved God and the monastic life, he became a monk. God blessed his spiritual struggle and foolishness and graced him with the gift of foreknowledge.

Together with Saint John the Philosopher, he helped Queen Tamar in the Battle of Basiani (ca. 1203) against the sultan Rukn al-Din and his army of 400,000.

Queen Tamar’s husband, Davit Soslan, led the Georgian army with his wife to Odzrkhe Monastery to pray for help. Catholicos Tevdore of Kartli and many hierarchs and monastics accompanied her there. Among those praying for the victory of the Christians at the Monastery were Saint John the Philosopher and Saint Eulogius the Prophet and Fool. The Queen left for a nearby village where she prayed continually for victory, while her husband led the army to Basiani to fight the sultan and his army.

During the Divine Liturgy, soon after, a miracle took place at the Monastery. Eulogius fell to his knees and lifted his hands to heaven, crying out: "Glory to God! Almighty Christ!...Do not fear the Persians, but rather depart in peace, for the mercy of God has descended upon the house of Tamar!" Rejoicing, John went to Queen Tamar and said: "Your Highness! The Almighty has made known to us our victory in the war from the lips of a fool-for-Christ!" Remembering the time of this revelation, it was the same time that the Georgian army defeated the army of the sultan.

Since his gift became known to all, Eulogius quickly disappeared out of sight to escape the people’s attention. He reposed in peace.

Saint John the Philosopher composed his “Hymns to the Theotokos of Vardzia” in thanksgiving for Georgia’s victory in the Battle of Basiani. He is also recognized as the composer of “Abdul-Messiah,” (Abdul-Messiah: servant of Christ) a famous ode to the holy Queen Tamar. He also reposed in peace.


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