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 8, 2016

Synaxis of Panagia the Giatrissa in Loutraki of Corinth

Panagia Giatrissa (Feast Day - September 8)

In the center of the city of Loutraki stands the imposing Church of Panagia the Giatrissa, as a steadfast pillar of the faith of the residents. Inside is kept the wonderworking icon of the Panagia which depicts She Who is Full of Grace at a young age holding the Divine Child.

The icon came from Jerusalem in 1928, and with the help of Metropolitan Damaskinos of Corinth a chapel was built (across from the present day church), and due to its many miraculous healings it was named Panagia the Giatrissa (the Healer). Due to the large influx of pilgrims, on 10 March 1960, the present church was founded by Metropolitan Prokopios of Corinth. It is a three-aisled basilica with an octagonal dome. It includes a wooden icon screen and the imposing shrine of the icon of the Panagia.


The history of the holy icon of the Panagia the Giatrissa is as follows: Every summer a woman named Maria, who was a midwife, would come to Loutraki for its healing spa. She would stay at the house of Maria Sokos, with whom she had friendly relations. When this Maria went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, she brought back a gift to Maria Sokos, which was an icon of the Panagia holding the Christ Child on her left. In Jerusalem the seller had told Maria to give the icon to godly people, who believe in the Panagia, and to light candles to her and keep an oil lamp burning day and night, because it was a wonderworking icon.

Maria told Maria Sokos all these things. She also told her that twenty days after giving the Holy Icon she would die, which she did.

Maria Sokos received the icon in 1928. The reverence of the residents of Loutraki, as well as that of foreigners, in time grew. That is when they considered building the church. A committee was created with the help of His Eminence Metropolitan Damaskinos and Donors, and they built it on land donated by John Marras, opposite the present Church of Panagia the Giatrissa.



Apolytikion in the Third Tone
Fragrant nectar of the Theotokos, honorable Throne of the King of All, you pour forth fragrance O Virgin to Your servants, for You held God in your womb, fill us all with divine grace, for we all ever proclaim and glorify You as the true Mother of God.


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