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 9, 2025

Prologue in Sermons: December 9


For Childless Spouses

December 9
 
(The Conception of the Holy and God-bearing Mother Anna, when the Holy Theotokos was Conceived. On the same day, the Holy Prophetess Anna (Hannah), the Mother of the Prophet Samuel.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Childless couples often grieve deeply over their childlessness. Others have everything: wealth, high social status, health, and good fortune, yet still have no children. And the desire for them sometimes even becomes a torment. What can one say to console such people, and what advice can one offer them?

The examples of ancient pious childless couples teach us to find help in prayer in such cases. Samuel's mother, Hannah, prayed fervently for a child, her face glowing as she did so, and even her voice choked with emotion. Her prayer was heard, and she gave birth to a great Prophet, beloved of God and the foremost judge of God's people for nearly half a century. No less fervent was the prayer of the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, who cried out: "Look upon me now, O Lord, and hear my prayer. Loosen the affliction of my heart and make the barren fruitful." And this prayer was heard, and she and her husband were granted a daughter, who later became the Mother of the Lord. Finally, the prayer of Zechariah and Elizabeth was not in vain, as the Angel announced to him: "Fear not, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John; and you shall have joy and gladness" (Luke 1:13-14). 

So you, childless spouses, resort to this means, and the Lord will hear your prayer too. But you will say, "We resort to it, but it seems God does not accept our prayer." In that case, intensify it, and if it was brief and incomplete, then supplement it. With what? By presenting to the Lord that you ask Him for children not for your own earthly pleasure, but in order to give them to Him and, as it were, continue your service to Him in them. Thus, both the aforementioned Annas made these promises to the Lord, for the success of their prayers. Samuel's mother said, "Lord, if You look upon the lowliness of Your servant, and remember me, and give Your servant male seed, then I will give him to You as a gift until the day of his death" (1 Samuel 1:11). And the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos also said, "Then, Lord (i.e., if the request is fulfilled), we will present the child we bear to You as a gift: blessing, singing, and glorifying Your mercy." As you can see, such vows are also useful when praying for children, and therefore add them to your prayers, telling at least the Lord that if He blesses you with childbearing, you will raise children in the fear of God, in the Orthodox faith, and in strict obedience to the Orthodox Church. 

Be zealous also to join your prayers with a pious life. Remember that Abraham and Isaac, initially childless but later blessed by God with children, as well as the parents of Samson and Samuel, the Most Holy Theotokos and the Forerunner, were all godly people. Take them as examples. And if you keep yourselves like them, not only will you have children, but also grandchildren, "and your hope will not be cut off" (Prov. 23:18). Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
 

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