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.



July 30, 2025

Prayer for the Cessation of the War in Ukraine


By Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Mani

Lord our God, the All-Wise, the Almighty, and the Most Merciful, we beseech You and implore You, we who are sinful and unworthy servants of Yours: listen to the voice of our supplication at this hour and cease the raging war in the fields, villages, towns, and cities of Ukraine. Look down from heaven, O Lord, and behold the pain and sorrow of Your creatures, the tears in their eyes, the turmoil of their souls, as well as this death among them.

You know that iniquities and sins have overwhelmed our heads; therefore, be gracious, grant hope and strength. Enlighten the minds and direct those in authority to know themselves and do Your holy will, for "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." Send angels from Your holy dwelling place as guardians over all who have fled to a foreign land from the conflict, and grant them patience and consolation.

Yes, O reconciling and philanthropic Lord, grant Your good gifts, peace and harmony, justice and a calm and tranquil life to all our brethren who are dreadfully tested by the war.

For You are our God, who shows mercy and saves, and we ascribe to You glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Source: Composed in 2022. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
 

BECOME A PATREON OR PAYPAL SUPPORTER


Patreon!