ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY THEN AND NOW: 30 Greek Orthodox Shrines Dedicated to Saint Irene Chrysovalantou (1 of 3)

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.

July 28, 2017

30 Greek Orthodox Shrines Dedicated to Saint Irene Chrysovalantou (1 of 3)

1. Church of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou in the village of Dafni in Sitia of Crete

2. Monastery of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou in Heraklion of Crete (2002)

3. Chapel of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou in the village of Potamida of Kissamos in Crete (1997)

Built by Michael Pneumatikakis in 1997. Ten years earlier he was in a car accident, and was in a critical situation when one night his uncle saw St. Irene Chrysovalantou in his sleep, saying: "Go get oil from my oil lamp in Lykovrisi, and when you bless Michael he will become well." He informed Michael's mother and immediately the command was carried out. After he was blessed with the oil, the next day he recovered. The chapel was built in thanksgiving for this miracle, through the financial contributions of the villagers and other believers. Though the chapel was built ten years after the accident, immediately after his healing he bought an icon of St. Irene and dedicated it to the neighboring Church of Saint George. He also had a baby girl that he named Chrysovalantou at baptism.

4. Church of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou in Pelekapina of Chania in Crete

5. Church of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou in the village of Megalochori in Santorini

6. Church of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou in Kamari of Santorini

7. Church of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou in Almyra of Megalochori in Santorini

8. Church of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou in Drymona of Leros

9. Church of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou in the Monastery of Panagia Pantanassa at Soroni of Rhodes (2014)

Built by Saranti and Photini Sarantis in memory of their departed son Chrysovalantis (+ 2007). The church was consecrated on November 29, 2014.

10. Monastery of Saint Irene Chrysovalantou in Mesanagro of Rhodes

PART TWO