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 25, 2017

Holy Hieromartyr Reginos, Bishop of Skopelos (+ 362)

Saint Reginos of Skopelos (Feast Day - February 25)

Verses

You were unshaken Reginos in your zeal,
Although you were terribly shaken by the bitter sword.

Saint Reginos was born towards the end of the third century at Livadia in Boetia to Christian parents. Due to his virtuous way of life he was elected to be ordained Bishop of the island of Skopelos. He attended the Synod of Sardica (now Sofia in Bulgaria) which met in 343, where he delivered an able refutation of Arianism and Eusebianism, which continued to rage even after the Synod in Nicaea in 325.

In the year 361 a persecution broke out against the Christians under Emperor Julian the Apostate. The Prefect of Greece had Bishop Reginos and other prominent Christians arrested. The Prefect alternated between words of flattery and threats to try to persuade the Bishop to deny the Lord Jesus, thinking that by his conversion to paganism many would follow. However, all this was done in vain, for it only increased his zeal to remain steadfast in the truth. Seeing his resolve, the Prefect had Bishop Reginos beheaded on February 25, 362.

Monument that marks the spot of the beheading of St. Reginos at Skopelos.

The honorable relics of Saint Reginos were transferred to Cyprus and buried there. In the nineteenth century, a council of elders, presided over by Hatzi Constantinos (later Monk Kallinikos), brought a portion of the sacred relics of the Saint to Skopelos. The relics were deposited in the Monastery of Saint John the Forerunner, where they continue to be preserved. He is considered the patron of the island of Skopelos.

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