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.



February 7, 2022

Prayer Regarding Cancer (Approved by the Sacred Synod of the Church of Greece)


Since today is the feast of Saint Parthenios, the patron saint of those with cancer due to the numerous healings performed by him, I thought it appropriate to translate a prayer regarding cancer approved by the Sacred Synod of the Church of Greece. Of course, there are other Saints who are known to heal cancer, such as Saint Nektarios who is especially known as a patron of those suffering with prostrate cancer, and their names can be added at the end, as well as the specific names of those who you may know that have both passed away from cancer or are currently suffering with cancer, but this is the officially approved version for general use.

Prayer Regarding Cancer

(Approved by the Sacred Synod of the Church of Greece)

[Ref. Num. 1465/25-6-1984)

Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who rebukes the spirits of sickness and lavishes with health those who call upon You with longing of heart and faith towards You, hearken unto us sinners, deep in sorrow and pain on behalf of our fathers, brethren and children, for their death, which we are unable to flee, since it calls us all, having been seized from among us with the affliction of the threatening scourge of cancer, after a painful illness and short time.

Through Your illuminating and sanctifying Spirit, Lord, guide through medical science those who are seeking through studies to exterminate its wickedness, reveal to them the medicine and the way of healing, and grant strength to those who are suffering and patience and respite in their pain, rewarding them all with the healing of their soul and body, through the intercessions of our Most-blessed Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, the Life-Giving Spring, whose waters in the Queen City were poured over those who were sick with cancer and their suffering ceased, as well as those of our Holy Father Parthenios, Bishop of Lampakos, the holy, glorious and wonderworking Unmercenaries, the holy, glorious Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, and all Your Saints. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
 
 
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