23rd Annual San Francisco Greek Film Festival

Guardians of Hellenism: The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople - Documentary Short

Available in 07d 16h 55m 27s
Available March 15, 2026 2:00 AM UTC
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The film focuses on the relationship between Christianity and Hellenism through the contributions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and individual Patriarchs to the Greek language, education, and philosophy. It shows that, despite common misconceptions, Christianity was a major contributor to the survival of Ancient Greek culture, as intellectuals and institutions - many of them affiliated with the Patriarchate- adopted the aesthetic values of pagan literature and employed concepts of Platonic and Aristotelian philosophy to articulate Christian doctrine. This provided a cultural continuity that helped the survival of Greek thought and language, contributed to the Renaissance, and became a steady reference point for Greek and Orthodox communities in Greece and around the world.



  • Year
    2025
  • Runtime
    15 minutes
  • Language
    English, Modern Greek (1453-)
  • Country
    United States, Greece, Turkey
  • Subtitle Language
    English
  • Director
    Nikos Dayandas
  • Screenwriter
    Nikos Dayandas
  • Producer
    Nikos Dayandas
  • Cast
    Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
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