"In Search of Hidden Holy Sites" is a documentary series with historical and pilgrimage content. We searched and found hidden holy sites, and with the help of the best guides and the permissions needed, we recorded every piece of detail. The series travels to Jerusalem, Greece, Pontus, Istanbul, and Cyprus to holy lands where miracles still happen.
Produced by White Fox, S.A., Athens Greece, and provided with permission for usage to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
You may watch this video series below or via the GOARCH Smart TV App
Program Information
EPISODE: Istanbul, Part I
SUMMARY: Constantinople was named New Rome or New Jerusalem, symbol of an exemplary empire, guardian of the Greek-Roman civilization, centre of the Orthodox-Christian world, an amalgam of cultures and a crossroad between Europe and Asia. The journey to Istanbul narrates through its monuments the history of the City. It was established by Constantine the Great as the new capital of the Roman Empire and dedicated to Virgin Mary and as Christianity spread together with Greek civilization, the Byzantine Empire was created, a single cultural and multiethnic empire. The viewer gets impressed by the amazing monasteries as those of Christ the Incomprehensible, Christ Pantokrator, Virgin Pammakaristos and Saint Savior in Chora decorate Istanbul. The journey brings out memories and takes us back in time in order to trace Istanbul as it used to be, magnificent and beautiful.
EPISODE: Istanbul, Part II
SUMMARY: Constantinople was named New Rome or New Jerusalem, symbol of an exemplary empire, guardian of the Greek-Roman civilization, centre of the Orthodox-Christian world, an amalgam of cultures and a crossroad between Europe and Asia. The journey to Istanbul narrates through its monuments the history of the City. It was established by Constantine the Great as the new capital of the Roman Empire and dedicated to Virgin Mary and as Christianity spread together with Greek civilization, the Byzantine Empire was created, a single cultural and multiethnic empire. The viewer gets impressed by the amazing monasteries as those of Christ the Incomprehensible, Christ Pantokrator, Virgin Pammakaristos and Saint Savior in Chora decorate Istanbul. The journey brings out memories and takes us back in time in order to trace Istanbul as it used to be, magnificent and beautiful.
EPISODE: Meteora
SUMMARY: The journey to Meteora is fascinating. A unique land that captivates everyone by its wild beauty and its volcanic rocks, reminding of lunar sceneries. Huge dark sandstone rocks, a unique spectacle, a place of refuge, a monument of global cultural heritage. A place of serenity and calmness, situated in a wild and inaccessible place. It was an ideal site for Christian ascetics. Eerie rocks, aligned with heaven, states of the sky… In the rock cavities, in their crevices and on their peaks hermits and anchorites in search of prayer and seclusion found protection and shelter.
EPISODE Olympus
SUMMARY: Olympus: Greece's highest mountain. Residence of the "Olympian" Gods, homeland of the Muses, an ecological universe. Five centuries ago, at these very slopes, a historic Monastery was built within a canyon near the river Enipeas, which lends the region an unearthly beauty. It is considered to be a monument of rare architecture and aesthetic because it has been perfectly integrated within its natural environment. The Monastery was dedicated to the Holy Trinity and founded by Saint Dionysius of Olympus in 1542. Because of him, the Monastery soon became widely known and developed great spiritual activity. Its fame spread past the Greek borders and reached even the Tsardom of Russia. Olympus is an area of unique biodiversity. In order for this unique heritage to be preserved, it was declared in 1938 the first National Park of Greece. It was also recognized as part of the "World Network of Biosphere Reserves". A land with a rare and rich flora, Olympus is shelter for more than 1700 rare plant species. 25 of them are unique in the world.
EPISODE: Jerusalem
SUMMARY: It is the Holy Land of the Jews, the Christians, the Muslims. It is a unique experience to be there and trace the History. In this city Christianity triumphed in the 4th century with the untold number of Christian churches which Saint Helen and Saint Constantine built. This Holy City with History of over three thousand years constitutes a religious centre for all three monotheistic religions. In the region of Palestine the highest event took place, which sealed the spiritual life of the world.