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 8, 2025

Prologue in Sermons: November 8

 
God's Angels Protect Man and Help Him in Times of Need

November 8

(Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Michael and Other Bodiless Powers. The Tales of the Miracles of the Archangel Michael and Other Angels.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Our holy faith teaches us to remember that, by the goodness of God, who always cares for us, good Angels are close to us, at times granting us blessings, caring for us as elder brothers care for younger ones, and protecting us from visible and invisible enemies and from all evils, misfortunes, and calamities. Can this truth, brethren, be demonstrated in practice? Yes, we answer; know that it can be, and it can be done easily, as we are about to convince you.

In the Prologue for the 8th of November, the following is said about Angels in general and the Archangel Michael in particular: "Many and great blessings of God have been bestowed upon men by the Angels of God. For they are intercessors and helpers before God and supplicants for us. Michael, the commander of the heavenly hosts, delivers us from all troubles and sorrows, illnesses and evil sins." Thus is spoken of the Angels' blessings to us in the Prologue. Let us now turn to examples. Angels saved Lot from the destruction of the wicked city of Sodom, which, due to the iniquities of the people who lived there, was destroyed by a rain of fire. An Angel of the Lord twice appeared to the Prophet Elijah and nourished him when, pursued by the wicked Jezebel, the Prophet fled through the desert and was exhausted from grief and hunger. An Angel, at the prayer of King Hezekiah, saved Jerusalem from the Assyrian attack, destroying one hundred and eighty-five thousand of the Assyrian army in a single night. An Angel saved the Prophet Daniel from being devoured by lions by closing their mouths. An Angel freed the Apostles from prison (Acts 5:19) and also the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 12:7). He instructed Cornelius the Centurion to summon the Apostle to instruct him and his family in the faith of Christ (1 Peter 10:3). Finally, he comforted and strengthened the Apostle Paul in danger (Acts 27:23).

These examples clearly reveal the truth that the Holy Angels are truly close to us, bestowing blessings upon us, caring for us, and ultimately delivering us from all troubles and evils. And to what should this knowledge lead us? Of course, to remembering the Angels' mercies to us, venerating the Holy Angels, resorting to them in prayer, honoring their feast days, and, finally, striving, both openly and secretly, to do only good, so that through good conduct we may earn their favor, protection, and intercession before the Heavenly Father. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
 

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