ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY THEN AND NOW: Holy Martyrs Philemon, Archippus and Onesimus

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 6, 2019

Holy Martyrs Philemon, Archippus and Onesimus

Sts. Philemon, Archippus and Onesimus the Martyrs (Feast Day - July 6)

Verses

To Philemon.

Crosses were a cold kiss to Christ Philemon,
Crosses for you were a warm love-charm.

To Archippus.

Your authoritative command in instruction,
Was shown Archippus in your bravery towards the horse.

To Onesimus.

Onesimus found profit by the sword,
Having received the luminous crown of the contest.

The Holy Martyrs Philemon, Archippus and Onesimus met their end in the following manner: Philemon was crucified, Archippus was dragged by horses, and Onesimus was killed by a sword.* Their Synaxis and Feast was celebrated in their martyrium Temple which is in Elaia.**

Notes:

* It is not known if these Holy Martyrs were the three Apostles of the Seventy or separate individuals. The three Apostles that also go by these names are commemorated together on November 22nd.

** Elaia was located north of Constantinople, beyond the Golden Horn on a hill above the suburb of Sykai, hence in the vicinity of present-day Galata tower.