ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY THEN AND NOW: Holy Martyrs Demes and Protion

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 12, 2019

Holy Martyrs Demes and Protion

Sts. Demes and Protion (Feast Day - April 12)

Verses

Protion was first to be deprived of his head,
Then Demes stretched forth his head to the executioner.

The Holy Martyrs Demes and Protion contested with other Christians during the reign of Maximian (285-305). Of their own will they stood before the governor, and boldly confessed their faith in Christ. He then ordered for them to be tortured without mercy. Their clothing was removed and they were bound by chains, thrown to the ground, and harshly beaten, to the point where their innards were visible. The governor then had them imprisoned, without food or water, for thirty days. An Angel of the Lord however healed their wounds and gave them heavenly food for their nourishment.

When the governor once again brought them forth for trial to be examined, he was astonished to find them healthy and whole. When the crowds beheld this miracle, they fell at the feet of the Saints and said: "We are Christians!" The governor then ordered for the Saints to be beheaded. In this way they received the crown of martyrdom from the Lord.