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.



April 17, 2021

Synaxarion of Saint Makarios Notaras the Archbishop of Corinth


 Synaxarion*

On the 17th of this month [April], we commemorate Saint Makarios Notaras, Archbishop of Corinth.

Verses

Offspring of Corinth you are the brightest of Hierarchs,
An intercessor, joy and great aid to all the faithful.
Who is this, who was twice called and showed divine signs?
Splendid Makarios Notaras the most splendid orpyx.
In the middle of April he went to God, having breathed his last.

Saint Makarios, whose secular name was Michael Notaras, was born in 1731 in Trikala of Corinth. He studied in Kefallonia with the famous teacher Eustathios, and served for six years at the school in Corinth, without receiving any salary. Because he had a reputation for virtue and piety, when the archepiscopal throne of Corinth became vacant, the whole of the people of the province of Corinth with one voice sought that he should be made archbishop. Thus, Michael, having first become a monk, at which time he took the name Makarios, was consecrated archbishop in 1765 at the age of 34. His pastoral work was of the greatest value, but did not last long. After some ten years, he was forced to retire, whereupon he went to the Holy Mountain, where he became acquainted with the head of the Athoniada, Athanasios of Paros, whom he took as his spiritual father. After visiting various cities and islands of Greece, he settled in Chios with Athanasios of Paros, and having championed the patristic tradition and revived Greece with the spirit of authentic Orthodox Christianity, which is both neptic and philokalic, he died there in 1805, on 17 April, which is observed as his feast day.

 
Apolytikion in the First Tone
Let us faithful praise the shepherd of Corinth, who was truly Makarios, who by God’s providence, for reasons ineffable became the great spiritual leader of Chios, him who shone through deeds, words, and prayers; for truly he received from God grace for healing the sick and driving away unclean spirits. Glory to the Father Who destined him, glory to the Son Who elevated him, glory to the Spirit who acts through him.

Kontakion in the Third Tone
The city of Chios divinely honors with praise the president of Corinth, crying aloud: drawn to the Hierarch were the Hierarchs, the Martyrs to the trainer for their contests, and the Ascetics to the one akin to them. By his prayers, save us our God.

Megalynarion
A longing for Christ, O admirable Makarios, possessed your soul from the time of childhood, wherefore you wisely renounced all pleasant things, being God-minded, O holy one. Wherefore God did anoint you with the divine chrism of the august Priesthood, for He foreknows those who are His own.

Notes:

* Everything here was composed by Saint Nikephoros of Chios, except the short life which was compiled by the translator, and the kontakion which was composed by Saint Athanasios of Paros.
 
 
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