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 2, 2017

Commemoration of the Miracle of Saint John the New of Suceava in 1622


With the feast of Saint John the New of Suceava on June 2nd, there is also commemorated a miracle of the Saint that was recorded by Metropolitan Peter Mogila (+ 1647). On 2 June 1622 Suceava was threatened with a siege by Tartars. Inhabitants were fleeing on all sides. The priests of the church which kept the relic of Saint John wanted to transfer his reliquary to the castle for safekeeping.

However, when the priests went to lift the reliquary of the Saint, they were unable to, for it was unliftable. After trying many times, the priests came to the realization that it was the will of the Saint to remain in his church and protect the city. Clergy and people then prayed together. Indeed, as they prayed and the siege loomed on the horizon, a torrential rain fell and prevented the Tartars from invading the city. All therefore glorified God and thanked the Saint for protecting his city.


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