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.



December 2, 2013

The First Celebration of Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyva (photos & video)


Aimilios Polygenis
December 2, 2013
Romfea.gr

In the presence of thousands of believers a Festal Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Sacred Hermitage of the Holy Elder Porphyrios in Malakasa Attica.

The Festal Divine Liturgy was officiated by the Hierarch of the Ecumenical Throne, His Eminence Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, surrounded by many priests.

In the sacred sanctuary were also Metropolitan Meliton of Marathon as well as many Abbots from Sacred Monasteries throughout Greece.

"Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is wondrous among His Saints, brought us together today, brethren, on the day of the repose of our Saint Porphyrios, a few days after the Mother Church of Constantinople synodically confirmed in the Holy Spirit the Pan-Orthodox testimony in the stages of the life of the common consciousness of his sanctity", the Metropolitan of Philadelphia said among other things.

His Eminence went on to stress: "Saint Porphyrios declared experientially and empirically the life of love and angels, from the Holy Mountain, from Evia, from Omonia, from Kallisia, from Milesi, from this sacred place where his feet stood."

"The face of the Holy Elder Porphyrios still remains etched in the memory and hearts of those who were blessed to know him and socialize with him", added the prelate of the Ecumenical Throne.

His Eminence also referred to our current era, stressing: "In the current difficult circumstance and period, which the world and our blessed people are going through, who have now lost all their trust in the anointed rulers and alleged spiritual fathers, and are in complete embarrassment, and in the absence of capable people to show the way and the way out of the impasse, our Elder Saint Porphyrios shows us the way. And this is the way of transfiguration."

"Saint Porphyrios was a real father and leader of our people, because they really loved him. He did not try to serve his person, he did not desire to gain something from the people, he did not ask to acquire an office, power or riches. The only thing he had in abundance he offered without restrictions, and this was his love", added the Metropolitan of Philadelphia.

In closing His Eminence was apparently moved by the events of the day, and said: "No one can certainly glorify and honor worthily the Holy Elder Porphyrios."

Translated by John Sanidopoulos.











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