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 7, 2025

Prologue in Sermons: November 7 (b)


Sins and Lack of Faith Are the Causes of Illness; But Repentance for Sins and Strong Faith in God Are the Causes of Healing.

November 7

(About a Man Healed by Saint John Chrysostom)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Brethren, from the day we are born, we are all plagued by various illnesses. What is the cause of these illnesses? And are there any truly effective means of curing them? In our opinion, the answer to this question should be as follows: the main causes of illness should be recognized as our sins and lack of faith; and the most effective means of healing should be recognized as a strong faith in God and repentance for sins. How, you ask, can this be proven? We answer that with the following example.

Once, there lived in Antioch a man of great wealth and illustrious birth. One day, he fell ill, so severely that his right eye bulged out. He sought treatment from doctors, gave them much money, but received no benefit. But when he was in desperate straits, he accidentally learned of the holy life of John Chrysostom, who was living in a monastery at the time. The sick man came to him, fell at his feet, and begged for healing. John said to him, "This illness has come upon you because of your lies and your lack of faith. But if you now believe with all your soul that God is able to heal you, and promise to improve your life in the future, then God will heal you." To these words of Chrysostom, the sick man cried out, "I believe, Master, and I will do all that You command." And with these words, he took up part of the Saint's garment and placed it on his head and on his aching eye. Immediately, his illness passed, his eye returned to its proper place, and the sick man became healthy. He went home, glorifying God and His great saint, John.

So, brethren, we have truly said that the main causes of illness are our sins and our lack of faith, and that the most effective means of healing must be recognized as a strong faith in God and repentance for sins. What did Saint John Chrysostom say to the sick man praying for healing? He said that his illness came because of his lies and lack of faith, and that healing would come when he wholeheartedly believed in the omnipotence of God and ceased from sin. And how did it end? When the sick man believed and promised to fulfill his command, he immediately became healthy. Let us take all this to heart, brethren, and when illness befalls us, let us act not as the people of this age do, but as the man healed by John did. In times of illness, let us turn first of all not to earthly doctors, but to God. Let us strengthen our faith in Him, promise to improve our lives, and in fact, cease from sin. And of course, then the merciful Lord, seeing our faith and correction, will grant us healing from our illness, or else the strength to endure it patiently and without complaint. Let us always remember, and especially during times of illness, that God will not despise a contrite and humble heart. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
 

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