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 20, 2017

Saints and Feasts of December 20


On the twentieth Ignatius died by the jaws of the lion.

(Fasting Day)

Forefeast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

Dec. 20 - The Forefeast of the Nativity of the Lord

A Homily in Preparation for the Celebration of Christmas (St. John Chrysostom)

Orthodox Christmas Resource Page


Holy Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer

Saint Ignatius of Antioch Resource Page


Venerable Philogonios, Patriarch of Antioch

Synaxarion of Saint Philogonios the Patriarch of Antioch


Holy New Martyr John the Tailor of Thasos

Holy New Martyr John the Tailor of Thasos (+ 1652)


Saint Daniel II, Archbishop of Serbia

Saint Daniel II, Archbishop of Serbia (+ 1337)


Venerable Ignatius, Archimandrite of the Kiev Caves

Saint Ignatius, Archimandrite of the Kiev Caves Lavra (+ 1434)


Saint John of Kronstadt

Saint John of Kronstadt Resource Page


Synaxis of the Icon of the Mother of God 
the “Rescuer of the Drowning”

Icon of the Mother of God the “Rescuer of the Drowning”


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