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, 2017

Holy New Martyr George the Tailor, Also Called Paizan, of Mytilene (+ 1693)

St. George the Paizan of Lesvos (Feast Day - February 14)

Verses

Who is this other George that exists again?
He was made a new martyr. O the bravery!

The Holy New Martyr George, who is also called Paizan, was born on the island of Lesvos, in the village of Plagia near the town of Plomari. He was a tailor by trade in Constantinople. For unknown reasons he was put to death in Constantinople on the 14th of February in 1693, because he refused to abandon his Orthodox Christian faith and submit to Islam.


Apolytikion in Plagal of the First Tone
The multitudes of Lesvos be glad and dance, for the all-luminous memory of the Neomartyr George, and honor the firm armed-soldier, who in difficult times contested staunchly, being victorious over beliar, and now in celestial places intercedes on behalf of the faithful who celebrate him.


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