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.



April 21, 2017

Oikos, Kontakion, Canon to the Theotokos of the Life-Giving Spring


Kontakion.
Plagal of the Fourth Tone.

O Lady, full of grace divine, you ever grant to me your grace's waters, which are gushing forth continually from your never-failing Spring, beyond understanding. You gave birth to God the Logos inexplicably, so I pray you that your gift of grace refreshes me, that I may cry to you, "Rejoice, water of deliverance!"

Oikos.

All-spotless Theotokos, who ineffably gave birth to the Father's pre-eternal Logos, noble Lady, open wide my mouth, and assist me as I now commence praising you, so that I may cry out to you, extolling your Spring and saying:

Rejoice, O Spring of joy unending.
Rejoice, O stream of ineffable beauty.
Rejoice, termination of every malady.
Rejoice, elimination of every suffering.
Rejoice, clearest stream that gives believers their health.
Rejoice, water that is abundantly joyous to those who are sick.
Rejoice, water of wisdom, removing ignorance.
Rejoice, potion for the heart, pouring forth ambrosia.
Rejoice, bowl of manna overflowing with life.
Rejoice, basin overflowing with nectar divine.
Rejoice, for you point out the passing of illness.
Rejoice, for you put out the fire of sickness.
Rejoice, water of deliverance!

Canon for the Theotokos.
First Tone.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Pure Maiden, we know that the holy water of your Spring, more than all other water, is most excellent indeed, for it pours forth supernaturally, and it relieves us of serious illness, clearly restoring good health to our souls.

Most-holy Theotokos, save us.

Behold, we all see now the new Siloam of your Spring, which, O Virgin, delivers people from infirmities. Eyes of a man who was blind are restored. We, in addition to life, are receiving good health and vigor continually.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

All you who are seeking your health now run to the Spring. For the grace of the Virgin does within the water dwell. Greatly rejoice, O believers, and exult, for you will have the appropriate answer to your requests in her sacred shrine.

Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The water of your Spring is exalted higher than the sky, and its streams permeated all the oceans of the earth. It is indeed the ambrosia of the soul, nectar of the faithful honey from the rock, and manna that rains down on us.

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