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.



September 7, 2018

Synaxarion of Saint Kassiani the Hymnographer


By Metropolitan Kyrillos of Rhodes

On the seventh of this month, we commemorate our 
Venerable and God-bearing Mother 
Kassiani the Hymnographer.

Verses

Kassiani is looked upon in the Church,
As a siren of hymns with divinely-struck music.
On the seventh Kassiani the sweet-toned nightingale died.

She balked royal honor and glory, having not been selected by Emperor Theophilos to be his wife. Having withdrawn to ascetic struggles in her own monastery that she founded in the Queen City, which was called "The Kassias", she spent her life in fasting, vigils and untiring prayers. Occupying herself with the construction of divinely-inspired hymns, for this she was called a melodist and hymnographer of the Church. Removing herself from the Queen City, with another nun, she went to Sicily, and from there went to Crete, then on to Kasos, where she lived in venerable asceticism on the island in a cave known as "The Grias". There she reposed in the sleep of the Venerables, and was buried by the pious in the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, in the village known as "Empourgio", in a coffin preserved till this day.

Through her holy intercessions, Christ God, have mercy on us. Amen.


Apolytikion in the First Tone
Not obtaining temporary royal glory, but inheriting that which is above, Kassiani showed by pursuing a venerable life, and constructing delightful hymns; wherefore cease not to intercede on our behalf, who cry out with longing: Glory to Christ Who glorified you, glory to Him Who made you wondrous, glory to Him Who granted you to us, as a vigilant guardian.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
You entered into, a life equal to that of the Angels, by your rugged asceticism, august Mother Kassiani, having the Lord as your Bridegroom; wherefore entreat, on behalf of those who sing hymns to you.

Megalynarion
Rejoice God-bearing Kassiani, the beautiful-sounding nightingale of the Church; rejoice you who venerably, lived in the world, and now in the highest, chant unto the Lord.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.


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