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.



March 5, 2015

Holy Martyr Conon the Gardener

St. Conon the Gardener (Feast Day - March 5)

Verses

You bore O Conon the marks of the nails of the Lord,
Bearing the marks of nails on your feet you approached Him.

The holy martyr Conon, a gardener from Nazareth of Galilee, lived during the reign of Emperor Decius (249-251). He left Nazareth, bound for the city of Mandron in the province of Pamphylia. Once there, he sojourned in a place called Karmela or Karmena. He resumed his work of cultivating a garden where he would grow a variety of vegetables, and, thereby, he was able to sustain himself.


Conon was a simple and guileless man. When the deputies who were ordered to apprehend Conon because he was a Christian arrived, he greeted them all with his heart and soul. His captors then revealed that he was being summoned to appear before Governor Puplius. Conon innocently remarked: "What does the governor require of me, for I am a Christian? Let him invite them that are of like-mind and worship the idols." Whereupon, the deputies bound Conon and brought him before the governor, who then proceeded to encourage Conon to sacrifice to the idols. Conon then sighed from the depths of his heart. He rebuked Puplius for his folly and confessed that he was of the Christian Faith. He explained that it was impossible for him to renounce his Faith, though he undergo ten thousand torments.

At this point, Governor Puplius condemned Conon to harsh punishment. His feet were pierced with nails, and he was tied behind the governor's chariot. The martyr was then forced to run quickly behind. After a while, the Saint was dragged on his knees. The path was littered with sharp stones which tore at him, and he became covered with wounds. Though terribly lacerated, he continued to pray to God all the while and then surrendered his soul in the hands of God.


Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received the prize of the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Through the angelic vision that thou wast granted, thou wast instructed in the Faith of Christ Jesus and didst receive the power to work miracles. Wherefore, thou didst utterly quell the demons' presumption, and didst quench deception's flames in the floods of thy contest. O venerable Martyr Conon, pray Christ God, the Friend of man to be gracious unto us all.


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