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.



October 19, 2017

Holy Prophet Joel

Holy Prophet Joel (Feast Day - October 19)

Verses

On earth Joel was made known through tragic suffering,
From earth he went to a place having power over suffering.
On the nineteenth Joel met his fate in the grave.

The Prophet Joel, whose name means "Yahweh is God," was of the tribe of Reuben, the son of Bathuel, and lived from 810 to 750 B.C. (but some say in the 7th century B.C.). His book is divided into three chapters, and is the second in order of the so-called minor prophets.

Joel prophesied the misfortunes of the people of Israel, and the Babylonian Captivity because of the sins they had committed in the sight of God. He called the people to fasting and the priests to tearful penitential prayer, that God would have mercy on them: "Sanctify a fast … and cry unto the Lord" (Joel 1:14); "Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar" (Joel 2:17). The central message of the Book is thus that “the day of The Lord draws near” (Joel 1:15) and that repentance is needed. The Prophet calls for the trumpet to sound in Zion and for a proclamation to be made in the mountain. All must be made aware of the darkness and gloom that is to come. He calls for the people to turn back to God with all their hearts because He is merciful and compassionate. Repentance will save the Lord’s people from captivity.


He also foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Joel 2:28, and quoted by the Apostle Peter in Acts 2:17), and the saving power of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Joel 2:32). Further he prophesied and described the Dread Judgment of God, and also prophesied the glory of God's Holy Church.

The Prophet Joel reposed in peace, and he is to be distinguished from the other Prophet Joel commemorated on March 30th.


Apolytikion in the Second Tone
As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Joel, O Lord, through him we beseech Thee to save our souls.

Another Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Thou wast revealed as a treasure of sacred virtues; God's Prophet by the grace of the Spirit. Thou didst foretell the outpouring of the fountain of godliness from the House of the Lord, for us who lovingly honour thee, O holy Prophet Joel.

Kontakion in the First Tone
Since thou hadst seen the glory of God in the Spirit, thou truly didst foreknow His divine dispensation; for as thou didst say, God's Spirit is poured forth upon all flesh that believeth in Him Who appeared to the earthborn in a servant's form and made thee wondrous for ever, O Joel, thou seer of God.


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