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.



March 24, 2020

The Holy Zoni of the Theotokos and the Cholera Epidemic of 1864 in Constantinople


In 1864 the Holy Zoni (Girdle) of the Mother of God was brought to Constantinople by monks from Vatopaidi Monastery on the Holy Mountain, due to a cholera epidemic that ravaged its inhabitants. As soon as the ship arrived at the port, the cholera ceased and there were no longer any reports of death even by those infected.

This strange miracle astounded the sultan, and he requested for the Honorable Zoni to be brought to the palace in order for him to venerate it.

While the Holy Zoni was in Constantinople, a Greek resident from Galata asked that it be brought to his house, because his son was very ill. By the time the Holy Zoni arrived, he had died. The monks however did not lose hope. Instead, they asked to be brought to him. As soon as they placed the Honorable Zoni on him, the dead boy resurrected.

From the book Miracles of the Holy Zoni published by Vatopaidi Monastery.


Labels: , , ,

BECOME A PATREON OR PAYPAL SUBSCRIBER


Patreon!