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.



June 21, 2014

Mount Athos, a Sleepless Vigil Lamp


On the Second Sunday of Matthew, which falls on the Second Sunday After Pentecost, we celebrate the Synaxis of All Saints of Mount Athos, as it was established by St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite. Beginning from the night before, every Athonite monk and ascetic, in every monastery, skete and cell of Mount Athos, keeps vigil in honor of all the Holy Fathers who shined brightly through their life and deeds on the Holy Mountain for over a thousand years. Below is a brief reflection by the Orthodox Awareness Network about the significance of the Holy Mountain to the world, as well as a prayer for those who ceaselessly pray for us.

Every night in every monastery of the Holy Mountain there is at least one monk keeping vigil, praying all night for those unable to keep vigil. The Holy Mountain is a place where for over 1,000 years at least there are celebrated at least 100 Divine Liturgies within a 24 hour period. Ultimately the Holy Mountain, the garden of our Panagia, is a sleepless vigil lamp, a continuous prayer to the Lord for the whole world.

Tonight, as many of us as are able, let us pray an impromptu prayer for all those people, especially the vigilant who pray for all those in need. From my heart I say:

Lord Jesus Christ, our Resurrected and Almighty God, look after, protect, strengthen, illumine and grant grace to Your servants the Monks of Mount Athos, that blessed place dedicated to Your All Holy Mother and helps all those in need this night: the sick in hospitals, especially in intensive care units, the imprisoned, the lonely people, the unemployed, orphans, widows, homeless, the guardians of our country. Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on your servants.

Good dawning to all our brothers and sisters.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.


Labels:

BECOME A PATREON OR PAYPAL SUBSCRIBER


Patreon!