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 18, 2025

Prologue in Sermons: November 18


Through Humility, We Shame the Devil and Drive Him Away From Ourselves and From Others

November 18

(On Humility, Which Is What Demons Fear)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Since the devil, through pride, abandoned obedience to God's will and was cast out of heaven for it, it is clear that this sin is most contrary to God, as the chief sin of the devil, the enemy of God and the destroyer of human souls. From this, it follows that if pride is especially dear to the devil, then, of course, humility is especially unbearable. Yes, brethren, the devil cannot tolerate humility, and those who possess this virtue put him to shame and drive him far away, both from themselves and from others.

A certain nobleman living in Egypt had a daughter who was possessed by a fierce demon and terribly tormented. The poor father, unsure what to do, turned to one of his favorite monks for advice, and he offered him the following: "I know of no one who can heal your daughter," he said, "except for the hermits I know. But they are unlikely to undertake this task; for above all, they detest worldly glory! However, I advise you this: when they come to the marketplace to sell their handicrafts, buy from them, and give the money only in your house. Upon entering, they will certainly say a prayer, and I am certain that the demon will leave your daughter then." As the monk advised, so the father did. Meeting one of the disciples of Saint Makarios at the market selling baskets, the nobleman bought them from him and asked him to enter his house for the money. The monk agreed, and as soon as he entered the presence of the nobleman, the possessed woman lunged at him and struck him on the cheek. The holy man was not in the least offended and, by command, turned the other cheek. Then the demon cried out: "Oh, woe is me! His humility drives me away." And then he left.

Seeing from this what a terrible scourge humility is for the devil, hold on to it, brethren. Through this, you will escape all the enemy's arrows, which are deceitfully aimed at us all, and you will please God. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
 

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