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 22, 2023

"I Went and Bought the Biggest Lamp": A Man Recounts a Miracle of the Panagia Varnakova


A man named Sotiris came to the Monastery of Panagia Varnakova holding a lamp the size of the trunk of a small tree! He was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. His pious wife had also come with him.

A few weeks ago, believers from Agrinio with Father Theokletos had come to Varnakova, to venerate and celebrate the Divine Liturgy. The wife of Sotiris had also come with them, at his request.

"I was sick for a long time and the doctors couldn't find what was wrong with me. I got to the point where I didn't have the courage to drive the car, to go shopping for my children," he recounted with great emotion the day he came.

He added: "I sent my wife to the Panagia, to pray so I can be helped, because I was about to despair. So as I was lying in pain and in my worst state, about nine o'clock in the morning, I suddenly felt a lightness and joy at the same time! I immediately understood!

The Panagia sent Her Grace. I made the sign of the cross and tried to get up. I did it without pain.

I felt strong and well. I dressed, washed, combed my hair and waited for my wife full of emotion and joy. She came at noon. When she saw me raised and healthy, she began to cry out of gratitude to God.

The other day I went to the Agrinio market and bought the biggest lamp. They looked at me with suspicion. But I didn't care about anything. I wanted to climb, if possible, somewhere high and shout my thanks to God and to the Panagia. Let all people hear it and believe!"

Source: From the book Theometoric Miracles of Panagia Varnakova. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
 
 

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