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.



August 10, 2021

Saint Iakovos Tsalikes and the Trees Surrounding the Monastery of the Venerable David in Evia


The following was written by Fr. Dionysios Tatsis, in his 2004 book Διδαχές Γερόντων [Teachings of the Elders]. In light of the fires in Evia, and especially the fire that engulfed the Monastery of the Venerable David this past week, it is particularly interesting to read.

When I went to the monastery [of the Venerable David in Evia], Elder Iakovos Tsalikes [+ 1991] was talking about how, due to old fires, the surrounding mountains were naked and only a few pine trees and fir trees existed. So as I was going about my various duties, I had seeds and pine cones in my pocket and I sowed them all over the area. I also prayed that the forest be protected, especially from fires, which are caused by the envy of the devil, who puts his agents there to destroy the forests.


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