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.



April 24, 2018

Saints and Feasts of April 24


On the twenty-fourth Elizabeth was carried off to the heavens.

Venerable Elizabeth the Wonderworker
 
 

Holy Martyr Savvas the General and Goth
 
 


Holy Seventy Soldier Martyrs 
Converted by Saint Savvas

Holy Martyr Savvas the General and Goth (+ 272)


Holy Martyrs Pasikratos and Valention


Synaxarion of the Holy Martyrs Pasikratos and Valention


Holy Eight Martyrs Eusebius, Neonos, Leontios, 
Longinus, Danabos, Demetrios, 
Nestabos and Christopher

Holy Eight Martyrs Eusebius, Neonos, Leontios, Longinus, Danabos, Demetrios, Nestabos and Christopher


Venerable Thomas the Fool for Christ

Saint Thomas the Fool for Christ of Syria (+ 6th cent.)


Venerable Xenophon, Founder of the Athonite 
Monastery of Xenophontos

Saint Xenophon, Founder of the Athonite Monastery of Xenophontos


Holy New Martyr Doukas the Tailor from Mytilene

Holy New Martyr Doukas the Tailor from Mytilene (+ 1564)


Saint Elias Iorest the Confessor, 
Metropolitan of Transylvania

Saint Elias Iorest the Confessor, Metropolitan of Transylvania (+ 1678)


Saint Sava the Confessor, Metropolitan of Transylvania

Saint Sava Brancovici, Metropolitan of Transylvania (+ 1683)


Holy New Martyr Nicholas at Magnesia

Holy New Martyr Nicholas at Magnesia (+ 1776)


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