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 24, 2019

Synaxis of All Saints of Alaska


On September 24, 1794, the first formal Orthodox Mission in North America was established in Kodiak. Annually on this day, the saints who are associated with the coming of Orthodoxy to America in the Russian colony of Alaska are commemorated.

The icon of the synaxis (from left to right) shows:

- St. Herman who arrived on September 24 and who fell asleep on Spruce Island in 1837
- St. Jacob who was the first native born Orthodox priest (+ 1864)
- St. Peter the Aleut who was a native convert martyred by Catholics in California (+ 1815)
- St. Juvenal who arrived with St. Herman and was martyred by the local Indians in 1796
- St. Innocent who arrived in 1823 and did extensive evangelization and organizational work

Today is also set aside as the Feast Day of the Holy Martyrs Juvenal and Peter.

These men and many others (hundreds had already be baptized by Russian laymen prior to 1794) through the guidance of the Holy Spirit laid a foundation of Orthodoxy in America.

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Today Alaska rejoices and America celebrates, for the new world has been sanctified by martyrdom. Kodiak echoes with songs of thanksgiving, Iliamna and Kenai observe the festival of faith. The Apostle and martyr Juvenaly is glorified, and Peter the Aleut is exalted by his voluntary sacrifice. In their devotion and love for the Lord, they willingly endured persecution and death for the truth. Now in the Kingdom of Heaven they intercede for our souls!

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Today Valaam joins Alaska, in celebrating this joyous feast, as her spiritual son Juvenaly, embraces the new martyr Peter with love. Together they suffered for the Lord in America, and united the old world with the new by their voluntary sacrifice. Now forever they stand before the King of glory and intercede for our souls.


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