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.



October 20, 2019

Ecumenical Patriarch Announces the Canonization of Four 20th Century Athonite Elders


This morning, 20 October 2019, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew announced during his sermon at the Protaton Church in Karyes of Mount Athos, the canonization of four Athonite Elders beloved throughout the Orthodox world: Hieronymos of Simonopetra (+ 1957), Daniel of Katounakia (+ 1929), Joseph the Hesychast (+ 1959) and Ephraim of Katounakia (+ 1998).

Many of the Athonite monks present were moved to tears by the announcement. Elder Ephraim, the abbot of Vatopaidi Monastery on the Holy Mountain, expressed his gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarch for such a joyful announcement upon his visit to Mount Athos. He said: "We are moved All-Holiness by this announcement of the canonization of four new elders of the Holy Mountain."

Patriarch Bartholomew replied to Elder Ephraim: "Holy Abbot, I was keeping it from you as a surprise."

Speaking of the relationship between the Mother Church of Constantinople with the Holy Mountain, the Patriarch said among other things: "Holiness is the quintessence of this place and our Saints are what is most precious in the Church."

Elder Hieronymos of Simonopetra

Elder Daniel of Katounakia

Elder Joseph the Hesychast

Elder Ephraim of Katounakia


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