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.



December 3, 2025

Prologue in Sermons: December 3


The Redemption from the Prisons of Debtors Holds Great Value in the Eyes of God

December 3

(Commemoration of the Venerable Theodoulos the Eparch)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Among other works of physical mercy, one can also include the redemption of insolvent debtors from prison or the general easing of their lot. The value of this deed in the eyes of God can be seen in the following incident, which occurred in the life of Venerable Theodoulus, whose memory the Holy Church celebrates on the third day of December.

This Saint, having withdrawn from the world, ascended a pillar near Edessa and spent thirty years there in fasting and prayer. Before his death, the thought once came to him to ask God to show him those who in this life had pleased Him more than others. His prayer reached God, and Theodoulus heard the following voice: "Cornelius, who is from Mimon, stands at the height of spiritual perfection and is worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. You will find him near Damascus, in a village called Panduro." Theodoulus immediately set out to seek this Cornelius and found him. Falling at his feet, Theodoulus began to beg him to reveal his life to him. "I am a sinner," Cornelius replied, "and have done nothing." The elder did not cease to ask. Then Cornelius said: "I was raised, father, in the company of bad people; but now, thanks to God, I have promised to live chastely and be as merciful as possible, and I concern myself with this." "Tell me the rest of your life!" Theodoulus continued to implore. Then Cornelius said: "Not long ago, holy father, the following incident happened to me: a certain woman of noble birth, rich and chaste, married a man who turned out to be unworthy of her and soon spent not only her property but also owed a lot to people. The creditors threw him into prison, where he remained for a long time. His stay in prison caused the wife the most severe suffering. Having no money, she was forced to beg for alms in order to feed her husband, and she also searched day and night for a man who would undertake to ransom him, but did not find one. This woman happened to meet me once, and upon learning of her situation, I took pity on her and, wanting to help, asked: 'How much did your husband owe?' She answered: 'Four hundred penyazey.' And since I only had two hundred and thirty penyazey at the time, I sold some of my things to make up the shortage and gave everything to the poor woman, saying: 'Take this and go in peace, free your husband from prison and pray with all your heart for me, a sinner, that the Lord may have mercy on me at His judgment.' Hearing this, Theodoulus glorified God, returned to his pillar, and, after living for a short time, departed to the Lord.

Therefore, brethren, if you have the opportunity, do not forget this work of philanthropy. You will free your neighbors from debts here on earth, and the Lord will free you from your debts in heaven. Forgive us, O Lord, our debts, as we forgive our debtors! Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
 

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