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.



July 18, 2018

Saints and Feasts of July 18


On the eighteenth Aimilianos was burnt in the fire.

Holy Martyr Aimilianos
 
 
Holy Martyrs Paul, Valentina and Thea

Holy Martyrs Paul, Thea and Valentina at Caesarea in Palestine (+ 308)


Holy Martyr Hyacinth of Amastris

Synaxarion of the Holy Martyr Hyacinth of Amastris


Holy Martyr Markellos

Holy Martyr Markellos


Holy Martyrs Dasios and Maron

Holy Martyrs Dasios and Maron


Venerable Pambo
 
 
 
 
 
Saints Stephen II the Archbishop of Constantinople
and John the Metropolitan of Chalcedon

Saints Stephen II the Archbishop of Constantinople and John the Metropolitan of Chalcedon


Saint John IX the Hieromnemon, 
Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint John IX the Hieromnemon, Patriarch of Constantinople (+ 1134)


Venerable John the Much-Suffering 
and Recluse of the Kiev Caves

Saint John the Much-Suffering and Recluse of the Kiev Caves


Venerable Pambo of the Kiev Caves

Saint Pambo of the Kiev Caves (+ 1241)


Holy Hieromartyr Kozman

Holy Hieromartyr Kozman (+ 1630)


Holy New Martyr Elizabeth, Grand Duchess of Russia, 
the Venerable Barbara, and those martyred with them

Holy New Martyr Elizabeth, Grand Duchess of Russia (+ 1918)

Grand Duchess Elizabeth in the 'New York Times'

Holy Venerable New Martyr Barbara Yakovleva (+ 1918)


Consecration of the Church of the Theotokos 
in Kallistratos Monastery

Consecration of the Church of the Theotokos in Kallistratos Monastery



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