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.



August 25, 2017

Saint Menas, Patriarch of Constantinople (+ 552)

St. Menas of Constantinople (Feast Day - August 25)

Verses

Menas left this world,
As well as the Church in the world.

Our Holy Father Menas was from Alexandria in Egypt. After receiving an excellent education in Constantinople, he was ordained a Presbyter and became director of the large hospital in the City that was between the churches of Hagia Sophia and Hagia Eirene.

In 536 Menas was appointed by Emperor Justinian I as Patriarch of Constantinople, and consecrated by Pope Agapetus I of Rome. This took place in the following manner: Pope Agapetus went with an embassy to Constantinople to use his personal influence to appease Emperor Justinian I following the death of Amalasuntha. The death of Amalasuntha would give Justinian a reason to go to war with the Ostrogoths and attempt to take Italy. Anthimos I was appointed Patriarch of Constantinople, who had previously been a bishop in Trebizond, against the protests of the orthodox, by the Empress Theodora who seated Anthimos in the patriarchal chair, although he was a Monophysite. When Pope Agapetus arrived in Constantinople members of the clergy entered charges against Patriarch Anthimos as an intruder and a heretic. Agapetus ordered him to make a written profession of faith and to return to his forsaken see; upon Anthimos' refusal, Agapetus deposed him. The Emperor threatened Agapetus with banishment. Agapetus is said to have replied, "With eager longing have I come to gaze upon the Most Christian Emperor Justinian. In his place I find a Diocletian, whose threats, however, terrify me not." Agapetus, for the first time in the history of the Church, personally consecrated Anthimos' legally elected successor, Menas.

Patriarch Menas was excommunicated in 547 and in 551 for taking positions counter to that held by Pope Vigilius on the Three Chapters of Justinian; but in both cases the sentence of excommunication was quickly lifted. The Patriarchy of Menas represents the greatest extent of papal influence in Constantinople.

Patriarch Menas strongly opposed Origenism. He presided over three synods: in 536 which excommunicated Anthimos his predecessor as well as other followers of Nestorias and Eutyches, and in 543 and 546 against Origenism.

On 27 December 537 he celebrated the first consecration of the Church of Hagia Sophia, as well as the second consecration on 22 December 538. And on 28 July 550 he consecrated the Church of the Holy Apostles.

After serving from the patriarchal throne for sixteen years and six months, Patriarch Menas reposed in peace in 552.

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