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.



February 14, 2016

Feast of the Corinthian Co-workers of the Apostle Paul: Titius, Justus, Chloe and Crispus



On the first Sunday after the 13th of February there is celebrated "in ancient Corinth", the memory of the co-workers of the Apostle Paul: Titius, Justus, Chloe and Crispus.

We only have biographical information about Saint Chloe. Accordingly, Saint Chloe was from Corinth (not Ephesus as some sources say), and was a significant co-worker of the Apostle Paul to the Church of Corinth.

Chloe had spiritual ties with the great Apostle of Christ. She stood by the Apostle in his missionary ministry, as much as possible. The anxiousness of the Apostle Paul for the Church of Corinth was shared by Chloe. This is why when a quarrel took place in the Church of Corinth, she rushed to Paul in Ephesus (1 Cor. 1:11). It was because of this that Saint Paul wrote his Epistles to the Corinthians.

This act by Chloe testifies to her faith in Christ and care for the household of God. Chloe did not want quarrels and divisions. She didn't want groups of believers, but unity in Christ (1 Cor. 1:12). She wanted the Church of Christ to be one Body whose Head was Christ (1 Col. 1:18). Therefore, to dispel the factionalism of the Church of Corinth, she ran to the founder of the Church of Corinth. And this intervention brought positive results.

May such a desire burn also within our souls. The desire for unity. And when there is a quarrel in a local church, like Chloe, rush to intervene through the Priest or Bishop, and help to restore unity.


Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
The splendor of grace, illuminated your nous, you were shown to be an associate, of the Apostle of Christ, who you informed to straighten the hearts, of the Church of Corinth that honors you. Blessed Chloe, as a divine handmaiden, cease not to intercede, on behalf of our souls.

Kontakion in the Second Tone
With the divine teachings of the gospel, Chloe was fruitfully tilled as the earth, you approached the Lord glorious one, being granted the heavenly fruits of righteousness as divine glory.

Megalynarion
Rejoicing you ran to Christ, blessed Chloe, having become divinely-minded through the teachings of the Apostles, you informed the earth by your conduct, and became a partaker of heavenly glory.


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