Documentaries

Our series views the foundation and growth of the Orthodox Church through the historic milestones and the geographic locations connected to the specific eras of its life, examining the formation of major aspects of the Church’s Holy Tradition. Filmed on location, our journey begins with the founding of the Church, and continues with the spread of Christianity to the “nations” by the Apostles. This is the period of the Gospel, and the institution of the Sacraments. This first, formative, period culminates with the move of the Roman empire to the East, to Constantinople. We follow the stabilization of the Church, after the resolution of major issues in sacramental life, dogma and administration. This is the period of the Nicene Creed, the Patristic Scriptures, the Divine Liturgy and the Icons. The Church realized its apostolic mission, with the spread of the Gospel to the Slavic people in Europe. During this same period, however, we witness the official division of East and West, a conclusion to the gradual rift in matters of faith, dogma, church custom, politics and culture. The fall of Constantinople in 1453 marks an era when the Church becomes the only institution perceived by the Greeks as the preserver of their national identity during 400 years of Turkish rule. By the end of the 19th century, hundreds of thousands of Orthodox immigrants spread throughout the world, to the “new” countries, shifting the center of influence within the Orthodox Churches to the New World. Although still associated with the churches in the countries they left behind, they provide the Orthodox Church with a new, youthful and dynamic perspective. This is the time when our Church becomes involved in the human rights struggle, other major social and philanthropic concerns, and the ecumenical movement, while at the same time helping the Orthodox immigrants become an integral part of mainstream societies. . INCLUDES A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE

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The one-hour documentary combines travelogue, art, and history in exploring the roots of Christianity in Turkey. The program features four geographical areas – Constantinople, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Smyrna where it becomes strikingly clear that the history of Christianity in The Other Holy Land is also the history of the Greek Orthodox Church. Filmed in Turkey and the U.S. this program aired nationally on the Hallmark Channel. Participants include His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Barthol omew, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Bishop Kallistos Ware and other nationally recognized theologians and historians. Produced by Frank Frost Productions in cooperation with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Office of News & Information and GOTelecom.

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Part 1: Windows To HeavenPart 2: Theology In ColorsThis award-winning documentary was video taped at The Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore, MD. Hosted by Medieval and Byzantine Art Curator, Dr. Gary Vikan, the show focuses on icons as objects of religious worship and artistic achievement. A collection of over 80 icons and frescoes are analyzed in detail as to the significance of their portraiture and its symbolism. An iconographer at work explains his creation as he progresses towards completion.

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Jim Becket, Director The need for a universal ecological consciousness is now essential to the planet's survival. With this in mind, the Religion, Science and the Environment symposium that sailed the Adriatic Sea focused on how humanity can be inspired towards an ecological ethos.

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The film examines the historical split between religion and science in regards to the environment; the ecological lessons to be learned from the indigenous people of Amazonia; the interdependence of ecosystems and sustainable livelihoods for all those who live in the region; and how payments for ecological services must be factored in to economic equations regarding the ecosystems on which we all depend.

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Jim Becket, Director Under the patronage of His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch and His Excellency Mr. Romano Prodi, former President of the European Community, the RSE Baltic symposium brought together theologians, scientists, policy makers, environmentalists and journalists to generate and support practical initiatives to protect the Baltic. This film based on their trip illustrates the ecological damage in the Baltic as well as the considerable efforts underway to heal it.

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The Ecumenical Patriarch convened the seventh symposium in the Arctic, bringing together religious leaders, scientific experts, environmentalists, local leaders, and the media to witness first-hand the melting of the millennial glaciers and hear testimony to the devastating impact of toxic pollution on the human and animal population.

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Jim Becket

This intimate portrait of the 270th successor to the Apostle Andrew follows him from the Patriarchate in Istanbul across the globe where he continues to gather members of the scientific community and representatives of the world's religions to join in constructive dialog and silent prayer for the planet.

International and Danube region leaders in the fields of religion, science, environment, politics and the media traveled the length of the Danube River -... More