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 15, 2019

Holy Martyr Leonides, Bishop of Athens

St. Leonides of Athens (Feast Day - April 15)

Verses

Darkness was over the crowds of Athens,
The sun was given to them by Leonides.

Though the Synaxarion of Constantinople calls Saint Leonides a "Martyr", it also says he "met his end in peace". With no other information given about him, this makes matters very confusing.

Furthermore, from the 12th century, many writers, especially in an encomium to the Hieromartyr Leonides by Bishop Michael Choniates of Athens, have identified this Saint Leonides with the Saint Leonides commemorated the next day on April 16th. This is probably due to the fact that the Saint Leonides commemorated on April 16th, who was martyred in Troizinia with seven women in the mid-3rd century, had his relics transferred to Athens in the 4th century, which were revealed in divine visions to certain pious Orthodox in 1917. But the Saint Leonides of April 16th is never spoken of as being a Bishop at all, just a martyr and teacher.

Ultimately, the identity and death of Leonides the Bishop of Athens is a mystery that has yet to be solved.


Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Most-sacred Shepherd, and wise Hierarch, of the renowned city of Athens, blessed Leonides, having venerably served as a priest of the Savior, you contested beyond what is natural, and you destroyed error. And now Father do entreat, on behalf of those who honor you.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Inspired Hierarch Leonides, thou didst end thy life as a martyr. Thou didst rejoice in thy torments, and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Pray to the Lord for us who celebrate thy memory.


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