Videos: What is Orthodox Christianity? An Answer in Three Parts

Fr. Daniel Mackay

At a time when people turn to videos for information, the documentary What is Orthodox Christianity? An Answer in Three Parts aims to employ the aesthetics and resources of the Orthodox Church in order to reinforce the content of the message. Rather than conventional movie-making techniques like interviewed subjects, the use of actors, or narrator, this documentary uses still images, readable text, and other aesthetic elements to explain He Who came as both Word (Logos) and Image (Icon).

The documentary (running time 125 minutes) intends to:

1. Answer the question “What is Orthodox Christianity?” for a contemporary American audience with some familiarity of Christianity.

2. Offer a basic orientation for those who may be exploring Orthodox Christianity by emphasizing the prayer of the heart, watchfulness, and the Holy Mysteries that set Orthodox Christianity apart from other Christian confessions.

It features 363 icons, 162 photographs, 68 other pictures, and 92 explicit references to Scripture.

The movie was written and assembled by Fr. Daniel Mackay, priest of St. John the Wonderworker Serbian Orthodox Church in Eugene, Oregon. Fr. Daniel is a professor of English literature and spent three years making the film in order to answer questions that commonly arise when discussing Orthodox Christianity.

* * *

Part One: The Teachings of Christ

The first part of this three-part slideshow that answers the question, "What is Orthodox Christianity?" by emphasizing the prayer of the heart, watchfulness, and the Holy Mysteries that set Orthodox Christianity apart from other Christian confessions. This first part emphasizes what Jesus Christ taught His Apostles and what and where the Church is.

Part Two: Falling Away from Christ

The second part the slideshow that answers the question, "What is Orthodox Christianity?" by emphasizing the prayer of the heart, watchfulness, and the Holy Mysteries that set Orthodox Christianity apart from other Christian confessions. The second part begins a consideration of the spiritual consequences of departure from the Church, first through establishing an historical timeline of the schism and then beginning to consider the prayer of the heart, experience of uncreated light, and the difference between spirit and soul that have been preserved in the Orthodox Church.

    

Part Three: The Life in Christ

The third and final part of the slideshow that answers the question, "What is Orthodox Christianity?" by emphasizing the prayer of the heart, watchfulness, and the Holy Mysteries that set Orthodox Christianity apart from other Christian confessions. The third part focuses on elements of the spiritual life: baptism, repentance, watchfulness, and Holy Communion.

    

Fr. Daniel Mackay

8/22/2015

See also
Eastern American Diocesan Media Office releases new film – "Russian America: Hidden Sanctuary of the Orthodox World" Eastern American Diocesan Media Office releases new film – "Russian America: Hidden Sanctuary of the Orthodox World"
The 31-minute film, entitled "Russian America: Hidden Sanctuary of the Orthodox World," has been released today in Russian and English on the official YouTube channel of the Eastern American Diocese. THE WAY Introductory Course to the Orthodox Faith Published in the U.K. THE WAY Introductory Course to the Orthodox Faith Published in the U.K. THE WAY Introductory Course to the Orthodox Faith Published in the U.K. THE WAY Introductory Course to the Orthodox Faith Published in the U.K.
The Introductory Course to the Orthodox Faith, THE WAY, has been launched as a DVD & CD boxset on 7 October 2010, at St Botolph’s Church without Bishopsgate, London, in the presence of Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh, representing the Pan-Orthodox Assembly of Bishops with Churches in the British Isles. “The Glory Of High Decani” “The Glory Of High Decani” “The Glory Of High Decani” “The Glory Of High Decani”
A documentary about one of the last remaining spiritual centers of Orthodox faith in Kosovo today – the monastery of High Decani. This film is also a testimony that true spiritual life is ultimate diplomacy given our innate ability to forgive, show compassion, and love one another.
Comments
Stephen Dufort7/25/2017 4:45 pm
Nice video 3 parts,I am a Catholic,but,have not gone to church in several years,not about of laziness,or indifference ,but I have been losing my faith in the church because of all the scandal especially peso priests etc.and now on top of that,gay orgies in the Congregation of the faith and drugs that were only 2 weeks ago busted in bye the Vatican police who busted in during the orgy! And there are other such things that has eroded my faith.My main hesitation in looking to become Orthodox is the Petrine issue.I have studied it somewhat,and can't seem to fall down one side or the other. Its left me in no wheres vill so to speak. Not a good place!I pray about it of course,but on account of my many sins or Gods will,I still can't see far enough to make a decision on the matter. I wish I could have a clear conscious to leave and come to the Orthodox church,but I am not able to do to looking into the Petrine issue....it seems to me both sides are wrong,and right.Please pray for me,so I do not die in my confusion,and having not confessed my sins,as formally as I used too..Stephen
PS,If you can offer any advice or help,I greatly be thankful.
John Bakas9/4/2015 6:51 pm
Excellent and very helpful. I am a Benedictine oblate at Saint Leo Abbey in Florida, USA.
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