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.



November 13, 2025

Prologue in Sermons: November 13


Simplicity in Preaching

November 13

(From the Life of Saint John Chrysostom)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

To those of you who are accustomed to reading the Divine Scriptures, I especially often remind you to, whenever possible, read at least a little of the Scripture concerning what is necessary for life and piety to even the simple-minded seekers of salvation. But, unfortunately, I often hear discouraging feedback from the readers about their listeners: "Following your advice, we read to those who come to us seeking the Divine," they say, "and they understand nothing. What should we do in this case?"

Brethren who read and teach! How should I reason with you and your listeners? Should I admonish them to pay attention? Yet, it seems, it is impossible to rebuke them for their inattention; for if they had not wished to pay attention, they would not have come to you voluntarily. After all, no one is forcing them. Should I reproach you? But I fear offending you. In any case, knowing that a friend's scolding is more pleasant than an enemy's kisses, I hope you will hear what follows from me without offense.

The failure of your teaching depends on yourselves; for is it fair to expect your listeners to understand everything you read with the same clarity as you do? Can you judge them by your own standard? Remember that you have already attained spiritual maturity, while they are still infants; you may have been given five talents from God, and they only one; you are strong, and they are weak. How then can you expect to compare them with yourselves? Consider: an adult can digest solid food, but an infant cannot. Therefore, you must treat your listeners as infants. Speak to them of the simplest truths you know from the Divine, instruct them intelligibly, and, believe me, they will understand you. Later, when under your guidance they are growing stronger and stronger, then, of course, you can introduce them to more difficult matters, and you will see that even the difficult will become accessible to them. 

Listen to what is written on this matter in the life of Saint John Chrysostom: "Once, a certain woman, listening to John and not understanding his words, raised her voice in the crowd and said to him: 'Spiritual teacher! Moreover, I say, John Chrysostom! You have deepened the well of your holy teaching, but the ropes of our mind are short and cannot reach it.' Chrysostom reflected within himself that it is not beneficial to extend cunningly wrought words to the people, and from that time he strove to adorn his discourse not with elaborate rhetoric, but with simple, moral words, so that even the simplest listener might understand and benefit from it."

Therefore, you see, even Saint John Chrysostom found it necessary to change the language of a scholar to the language of common people in order to save them. Do as he did. And it is true that after this, your opinions about your listeners will change in their favor. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
 

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