ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY THEN AND NOW: Photographs of Saint Panagis Basias of Kefallonia (1801-1888)

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 6, 2017

Photographs of Saint Panagis Basias of Kefallonia (1801-1888)

Saint Panagis (Paisios) Basias was born in Lixouri, Kefallonia in 1801. His entire life proved to be a continuous ascetic striving and an adherence to the monastic existence even as a parish priest. He liturgized and preached on a daily basis, spending the remaining time of his day visiting the homes of the faithful who were in need of comfort, charity, spiritual guidance, relief and compassion. God also granted him the gift of prophecy. His widespread fame as a miracle worker forced him to claim mental illness, in order to avoid the fall into arrogance and egotism, thus earning him the title of "Fool for Christ". For five years he was confined to a bed, never stopping however to bless, guide and console the devout who visited him. He passed away on June 7th in 1888. His sacred relics continue to be a source of numerous miracles for those that approach them with faith.

St. Panagia after his repose in 1888

The hermitage of Papa-Basia on the island of Dia

A home and room in which St. Panagis stayed for a period of time.

The holy skull of St. Panagis.