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.



September 28, 2015

Holy and Righteous Prophet Baruch

Prophet Baruch (Feast Day - September 28)

Verses

Prophet Baruch friend of Jeremiah,
You dance with the prophets of Christ in the heavens.

The Prophet Baruch was the disciple of the Prophet Jeremiah, and he was so beloved by Jeremiah that he called him his "breath" and "repose". Though divided in body, they were united as one soul in mutual love, for the one and only Holy Spirit united them and guided them. When Jerusalem was taken by Nebuchadnezzar (587 BC), Baruch fled with Jeremiah to Egypt, but later went to Babylon.


In the book that he wrote during his captivity in Babylon, Baruch prophesied with great clarity the coming in the flesh of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Among other things, he wrote: "This is our God, no other can be compared to Him. He has found out all the way of knowledge, and has given it to Jacob His servant, and to Israel His beloved. Afterward He showed Himself upon earth, and lived among men" (Bar. 3:35-37).

In the end he reposed in peace and delivered his soul into the hands of God. On the eve of the feast of the Nativity of Christ, his prophecy of the Incarnation is read among the Old Testament readings, though his book has been annexed to the book of the Prophet Jeremiah.


Apolytikion in Plagal of the Fourth Tone
Thou wast worthy of the light of prophecy and didst become a companion to Jeremiah. Thou didst foretell the self-emptying of God the Word which He wrought for the world's salvation. We who partake of this in the true Faith honour thee, O Prophet Baruch.

Kontakion in Plagal of the Fourth Tone
Like a prophetic harp thou didst sing and foretell the Redeemer's dispensation: "This is our God Who did show Himself upon earth and none other shall be compared to Him." Thus hast revealed the gate of knowledge, O Baruch, to those who worship His coming.

Labels: , , ,

BECOME A PATREON OR PAYPAL SUBSCRIBER


Patreon!