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.



December 16, 2019

Saint Nicholas II Chrysovergis, Patriarch of Constantinople (+ 991)

St. Nicholas Chrysovergis of Constantinople (Feast Day - December 16)

Verses

Nicholas beheld the throne,
Having given the world, he received it.

Saint Nicholas II Chrysovergis was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 979 to 991.

In 976, while Metropolitan of Adrianople, Nicholas accepted the confession before the death of Emperor John I Tzimiskes.

The ordination of Metroplitan Nicholas as Patriarch of Constantinople.

According to the testimony of the 11th century historian Yahya of Antioch, Metropolitan Nicholas was appointed Patriarch of Constantinople in the fourth year of the reign of Basil II, that is, February 12, 979. Some believe he was appointed in 984.

Seal of Patriarch Nicholas II

In 987 Prince Vladimir sent envoys to Constantinople to inquire about the Orthodox faith, attending the Divine Liturgy in Hagia Sophia in all its splendor officiated by Patriarch Nicholas II. Their report to Vladimir was as follows: "We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth. For on earth there is no such splendor or such beauty, and we are at a loss how to describe it. We only know that God dwells there among men, and their service is fairer than the ceremonies of other nations. For we cannot forget that beauty. Every man, after tasting something sweet, is afterward unwilling to accept that which is bitter, and therefore we cannot dwell longer here."


It was during the tenure of Patriarch Nicholas II that Russia was Christianized and he appointed the first Metropolitan for Russia, Michael the Syrian, to accomplish this mission with six other Bishops.

In 991, Patriarch Nicholas II in the presence of Emperor Basil II and the Russian ambassadors served in the Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

Patriarch Nicholas II in the presence of Emperor Basil II and the Russian ambassadors serving in the Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

He reposed in peace on December 12, 991.


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