The History of Orthodox Christianity | 
 enlarge | Studio: Vision Video
Category: DVD
Buy New: $39.99
New (7) from $30.99
Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 46428
Format: Ntsc
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
UPC: 727985008448
EAN: 0727985008448
ASIN: B000FTJ5SO
Release Date: May 19, 2006
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
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Amazon.com
This ambitious project is designed to be the most detailed worldwide television presentation of the Orthodox Church, Her traditions, and Her sacramental life. The programs, produced in English and Greek, will serve as an educational tool for the Christian Orthodox Church in addressing the needs of a world-dispersed audience, and in making Orthodoxy better understood among those who are unfamiliar with this ancient Christian Church.PART 1: THE BEGINNINGS - Church and State - Ecumencial Councils - Nicene Creed - Iconoclasm - Fathers of the Church - Monasticism - The Splendor of Aghia Sophia - Mission to the Slavs - The Great Schism - Crusades - Fall of Byzantium (Running Time: 28:30) PART 2: BYZANTIUM - The Early Church - From Jerusalem to the Nations - Christianity and Hellenism - Catacombs and Persecution - The Early Martyrs - Administrative Structure - Birth of Byzantium Legalization of the Church (Running Time: 28:30) PART 3: HIDDEN TREASURE - Church in Captivity - Moscow: The Third Rome - Greek Revolution - The Ancient Patriarchates Today - New World - Russia After Communism - Challenges for the Future - The Essence of the Church (Running Time: 28:30) This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 A Different Point of View October 12, 2008
The DVD of The History of Orthodox Cristianity is a good basic summary of key events in Orthodox Christian history. The key and obvious point of the presentation is that it is from the Eastern European/Greek point of view. For those of us who grew up in the Western European tradition this is a good reminder that the West does not hold the copyright on Christianity. In fact, a better claim to that honor could be made by the East.
The presentation is mainly a historical travelogue sprinkled with bits of Eastern Othodox Theology in the voice-overs. The presentation is professional quality and moves along smoothly.
There is a brief mention of Mt. Athos. I wish there could have been more about the Eastern Mystical Tradition. There are a number of books out that provide insteresting stories on the spritual heros of the Eastern Tradition. A panoramic view of Christian sprituality which leads to the East is a book called Lost Christianity by Jacob Needleman. If you want to take a closer look at Mount Athos, read The Monks of Mount Athos: A Western Monk's Extraordinary Spiritual Journey on Eastern Holy Ground by M. Basil Pennington. If you want to go straight to the writings look into the "Philokalia" - a collection of sayings by Spritual Masters of the Eastern Tradition.
I recommend this DVD for those who are interested in the Eastern Tradition and perspective. If you want to go deeper, start reading.
 It could of been a Contender! August 3, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
In the United States there is not much information for the general public about the History of the Orthodox Church. I was hoping for something on the mode of of say John Romers Byzantium. But I was diasappointed by this DVD. Now I am sure that the folks who put forth this effort tried to do their best. But I just hope that some one else comes forth and does a better job. As this could be a really good & interesting story for the armchair historian.
 A Beautiful Account of the History of Orthodox Christianity. June 2, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
_The History of Orthodox Christianity_ (2006) is a fascinating documentary that reveals the history of the Orthodox Church from the time of Christ to the modern day. As a Roman Catholic, I can truthfully say that this documentary helped me immensely to understand and appreciate the traditions of my Orthodox brothers and sisters. The documentary includes many beautiful images of the church in its development throughout the ages. Further, the documentary features commentary from learned scholars, patriarchs, and priests demonstrating their knowledge of the traditions of Christian Orthodoxy. Much of this material will certainly aid one's historical understanding to put the church into its proper historical context. The documentary makes a strong case for Christian Orthodoxy (and Christianity in general) showing the rise and development of the Orthodox churches. Further, the documentary discusses issues in more recent times, including the ecumenical movement among certain of the Orthodox and some of the difficulties it has encountered. I believe this movement offers great hope for Christianity in general.
The film includes the following three parts:
Part 1: The Beginnings - including discussion of Church and State, the Ecumenical Councils, the Nicene Creed, Icons and Iconoclasm, the Fathers of the Church, Monasticism (seen as an alternative to martyrdom in an era with less persecution), the splendor of Hagia Sophia, the mission to the Slavs, the Great Schism, the Crusades, and the Fall of Byzantium. This first part makes a good case for Orthodoxy as an unbroken tradition dating back to the time of Christ and St. Paul. It also shows the political development of the church as it became a potent force in the Roman empire at the time of Constantine the Great (regarded as a saint in the Orthodox churches) who after encountering a sign in the sky became a convert to Christ.
Part 2: Byzantium - including discussion of the Early Church, from Jerusalem to the Nations, Christianity and Hellenism (mentioning the vast resources of the ancient Greek culture and their contributions to the rise and development of Christianity), the Catacombs and the persecution, the early martyrs, the administrative structure of the church, and the birth of Byzantium and the legalization of the church. This part of the film makes a profound case for Constantine the Great who moved the capital of his empire to Byzantium where he resided in Constantinople (which is often referred to as "The Second Rome").
Part 3: Hidden Treasure - including discussion of the Church in Captivity, Moscow as the "Third Rome", the Greek revolution, the ancient Patriarchates today, the New World, Russia after Communism (and the damage done by Communism including persecution of the churches), challenges for the future (noting the ecumenical movement, the conflicts with Roman Catholicism, and the Uniate churches), and the essence of the Church (explaining how the church has developed following the Industrial Revolution and remains a "hidden treasure"). This part makes a profound case for the Orthodox Church as a hidden treasure and for each human being as made in the divine image and thus a treasure unto themselves. Further, this part discusses some of the ecumenical movements which offer much hope for the future, including relations between the various churches and with Roman Catholicism as well as with the Islamic world.
This film offers an excellent introduction and history of Orthodox Christianity. It is certain to be appreciated by those who admire the Orthodox churches and their great and noble traditions and contributions. Further, it makes a profound case for Orthodoxy and offers hope for the future for all mankind. Highly recommended!
Very Moving April 29, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This plays like an extremely well made History Channel documentary. The music, footage and narration is beautifully achieved and very moving.
I cannot fathom what the reviewer R. Robledo (above) means by the title of his laughable so-called 'review.' He called it "a waste." This self-proclaimed 'history buff' obviously has a personal agenda against Orthodox Christianity.
Anyway...
I own this gem and it's wonderful; both in it's design and execution. Highly recommended.
 a waste October 29, 2007
4 out of 8 found this review helpful
Very basic story, and with a dogmatic approach to historic events
Do not waste your money in this, for archaeology, history and even religion are hundreds of better sources
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