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.



December 28, 2017

Holy Martyr Glykerios the Presbyter

St. Glykerios the Presbyter (Feast Day - December 28)

Verses

Glykerios was cast into the fire,
Declaring "the manner of my end is sweet to me."

After Emperor Maximian called for a persecution of the Christians of Nicomedia following his return from a victorious campaign in Ethiopia, and the Christians refusal to participate in the imperially decreed sacrifices to the lifeless idols of all Roman citizens, the wise and fearless priest Glykerios openly addressed the emperor, saying among other things: "You boast of your triumphs over hordes of your enemies, but we who are small in number shall overcome with the help of the great God whose power you ought to have observed, O senseless and stone-like man, especially after those fearsome signs. Have you forgotten the terrifying thunder, lightning and hail, followed by the deaths of so many subjects and the ruin of the crops? These things took place on account of the blasphemies you pronounced. Therefore, entertain no hope in converting us. We fear not your threats."

When the boastful tyrant heard these words, he gave up hope of changing the beliefs of the Christians. Instead, he grew even more enraged, and viewed Glykerios as a rude man who insulted his authority. For this reason, he ordered his men to have Glykerios bound and brought before his tribunal. Then he was mercilessly scourged until the torturers fell from exhaustion. Glykerios remained silent through the ordeal, entreating the Lord to help him endure the torments that he may receive recompense in heavenly rewards. When the emperor heard this, he ordered him to be flagellated even more, so that it seemed Glykerios was without breath and the floor was covered in his blood, leaving his bones exposed. Even the spectators were moved to pity the priest, bringing shame on those who dispensed the torture. When Glykerios glorified Christ after all this, the emperor ordered that he be taken outside the city and consigned to the flames. After he prayed and thanked Christ for making him worthy of a martyric end, he was cast into the flames as an acceptable whole burnt offering to the Lord.


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