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.



June 23, 2020

Synaxis of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in Memory of the Saving of Moscow from the Invasion of Khan Achmed in 1480


On June 23rd the Russian Church celebrates the miracle of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, which led to the saving of Moscow from the invasion of Khan Achmed in 1480.

Khan Achmed bin Küchük, Khan of the Great Horde between 1465 and 1481, invaded the Russian lands and headed for Moscow in the year 1480. Grand Duke Ivan III Vasilievich of Moscow and All Rus went out to meet him with the army. The troops met on the Ugra River (Kaluga Region), 150 miles from Moscow. They stood off shouting at one another on opposite banks for four days before a conflict became inevitable. In the Russian camp was the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, in front of which prayers were constantly offered. All of Moscow prayed to the Mother of God for the protection of their capital. The Metropolitan wrote to the Prince a message in which he urged him to bravely stand against the enemy, hoping for the help of the Mother of God. The Prince ordered his troops to retreat from Ugra, wanting to wait for the Tatars to cross. The Khan decided that the Russians were ambushing them, so he also began to retreat, at first slowly, and at night they ran, driven by fear. In gratitude for the liberation of Russia from the Tatars, a feast was established in honor of the Mother of God, by whose intercession it is believed drove the Khan's army away. After this miracle, the Ugra River became known as the "Belt of the Mother of God."


Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
O Mistress, Empress and Lady, defend all who are in danger and misfortune, or weak from many sins, and who stand before your holy Icon, praying with tears, humility, repentance, and invincible hope, free them from all evil, give them the grace they need. And save us all, O Virgin Mother of God, for You are the divine refuge of those who follow you.

Kontakion in the Eighth Tone
O victorious Leader of triumphant hosts, you have delivered us from evils by the coming of your honorable Icon, O Lady Theotokos, radiantly we celebrate the festival of your synaxis, and as usual we cry to you: Rejoice, Bride unwedded.



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