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.



January 30, 2016

Saint Theophilos the New

St. Theophilos the New (Feast Day - January 30)

Verses

The beloved head of Theophilos is honored,
Being unwilling to love the gods of the barbarians.

Saint Theophilos was born and raised in Constantinople during the reign of the Orthodox rulers, Emperor Constantine VI and Empress-regent Irene (780-802). He held the rank of military governor in the Kibyrrhaiotai theme. At that time the Romans launched a naval campaign against the Saracens, or rather the Hagarenes. He embarked on this campaign with two subordinate admirals, but they were envious of him. When the hostilities began, he attacked the Saracens with his forces, followed by his two admirals. Employing diverse military tactics and war engines, he overpowered the enemy. The victory was only short lasting, however, since the two envious admirals took the opportunity of delivering Theophilos over to the enemy by withdrawing from the fight.

Since the Saracens had a larger fleet, they surrounded Theophilos, won the advantage, and captured him alive. They then brought him to their country and confined him to prison for four years. Then they removed him from his cell as they were sacrificing to their gods, and they insisted that he also offer a sacrifice and deny Christ. Because the Martyr of Christ would not be persuaded by their flatteries nor by their threats, they beheaded him, and the blessed one received the unfading crown of martyrdom.


Apolytikion in the Third Tone
Your love for the Master, you signed with your blood, and you suffocated the delusion, holy one, of those of the crescent, brave minded one, proclaiming the divinity of Christ, wherefore you seized, all-blessed Theophilos, the crown of martyrdom for your Lord.

Kontakion in the First Tone
Sailing your vessel, through the noetic sea, you found rest, in the harbor of heaven, glorious Theophilos, on your ship sealed by Christ, holding in derision the delusion of Hagar, you confessed, the faith of the Master, ornament of the Martyrs.

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