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.



August 10, 2014

Announcement from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem on the "Blinking" Icon of the Panagia


Official Announcement from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem Posted on its Website

The Icon of the Panagia in the Church of the Resurrection

August 8, 2014

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, a devoted guardian of the Holy Shrines and of the Orthodox faith in them, wishes to inform the followers of its website and any person in search of the liberating truth – “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32) – that the icon of the Panagia that is kept in the shrine behind the chapel known as the Prison of Christ in the All-Holy Church of the Resurrection does not “blink” as some faithful have recently suggested. Such a false impression may be due to the reflection of light.

Our infallible Orthodox faith and tradition guides us in the manner in which to honor the devout figure of Our Lady Theotokos and receive her consolation and assistance.

From the Secretariat-General

Source

Below is the video that has circulated which has suggested to some that the icon of the Panagia is opening and shutting its eyes. Clearly it takes some camera maneuvering to manipulate the illusion.


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