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 11, 2015

Request from the Athonite Brotherhood of "Axion Estin"


Today, June 11th, we celebrate the commemoration of the revelation of the hymn "Axion Estin" by the Archangel Gabriel to fathers of Mount Athos over a millenium ago. For this reason I am submitting a letter I received about six months ago from the fathers of the new brotherhood of the Cell of "Axion Estin", in which they are seeking financial assistance for the resoration of this historic cell.

For more than a millenium, in the heart of the Athonite state, in Karyes of Mount Athos, is the presence of the Cell of "Axion Estin", which happens to be a monument of great spiritual value. The unique miracle, namely the revelation of Archangel Gabriel who chanted the hymn "Axion Estin" to the Mother of God in 982 A.D at the "Pit of Adein", has become well known in the Orthodox Church. For this reason it has become a place of repentance and prayer for hundreds of fathers from all over the world who wished to live here in Christ.

The Holy Monastery of Pantokratoros has given its blessing so that a new brotherhood can live here. The building, being very old, has suffered many damages and it needs immediate restoration help. Its church, in which is kept the icon of the Mother of God called "Axion Estin", patron of all Mount Athos, with all the rest of the constructions has extensive damages.

Feel free to support our effort by putting a link at your blog.

God bless you.

The fathers of “Axion estin”.

Visit their official website for more information: http://www.keliaxionestin.com/

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