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 24, 2016

Holy New Martyr Panagiotis of Caesarea in Cappadocia (+ 1765)

St. Panagiotis of Caesarea (Feast Day - June 24)

Verses

Panagiotis of Caesarea for the love
Of the Lord was killed, O happy ending!
Anointed with love, stout-hearted Panagiotis was beheaded.

We do not have any details about the life of Panagiotis, except that he was from Caesarea in Cappadocia, who refused to become a Muslim and abandon his Christian faith, and for this reason was beheaded in Constantinople on June 24, 1765 at the age of twenty (other sources say he was martyred in 1767).


His sacred relic was buried with Christian honors in the Church of the Life-Giving Spring in Constantinople. A portion today can be venerated in the Skete of Saint Panteleimon, which belongs to Koutloumouseiou Monastery in Mount Athos.


Apolytikion in the Third Tone
Divine offspring of Caesarea, showing yourself to be of like manner with the victorious martyrs, blessed Panagiotis; you proclaimed the name of the Savior, and shed your blood on His behalf. Glorious Martyr, intercede to Christ God, to grant us the great mercy.

Kontakion in Fourth Tone
A fellow contestant of the Martyrs you showed yourself to be in the contest, gloriously slain for Christ; wherefore, O Panagiotis, Christ crowned you with a crown of glory.

Megalynarion
Rejoice, imitator of the Martyrs, and the sacred ornament of Caesarea. Rejoice, Panagiotis, Christ's new armed soldier, the flower of piety, most-fragrant.

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