ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY THEN AND NOW: Holy Martyrs Papias, Diodoros and Claudius

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 25, 2019

Holy Martyrs Papias, Diodoros and Claudius

Sts. Papias, Diodoros and Claudius (Feast Day - October 25)

Verses

The sword cut off the three heads of the three athletes,
The mind in their heads was therefore threefold.

The Holy Martyrs Papias, Diodoros and Claudius contested during the reign of Emperor Decius (249-251) and were from Attaleia of Pamphylia. They were breeders by occupation of various cattle. Because they worshiped the one true God and denounced the worship of idols, converting many pagans to the faith of Christ, they were arrested by Governor Pouplios of Pamphylia. Being questioned by him, they boldly confessed the name of Christ, our true God, and taught that He created the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything therein, and besides Him there is no other God. Hearing this, the governor became enraged and gave them up to various harsh tortures. Unable to change their minds to deny Christ, he had them beheaded, and in this way they received crowns of martyrdom. They were honorably buried by Christians, to the glory of Christ our God.