"Sacred Alaska" Screening, Friday, April 12, 2024

The award-winning documentary, "Sacred Alaska", will be shown at Christ the Savior on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 7pm.

The film offers an intimate look into Native Alaskan culture and spirituality. It showcases the profound influence of Orthodoxy, introduced by Russian monks in the late 18th century, on Alaskan society. The film highlights the unique way Alaskans have woven their indigenous beliefs with Orthodox traditions, deeply influencing their worldview. Central to this is the concept of learning to become a "real person." Through beautiful cinematography and powerful storytelling, "Sacred Alaska" underscores the profound, sacred bond between the Alaskan people, their faith, and the formidable landscape they call home.

Absolutely everyone is welcome to attend this screening so please invite your family, friends, and anyone that you think might be interested! Don’t miss it!

“Sacred Alaska” is an award-winning and visually stunning documentary about Native Alaskan culture and Orthodox spirituality. The documentary explores the profound influence of Orthodoxy brought by St. Herman and Russian monks in the late 18th century to Native Alaskan society.

“Sacred Alaska” highlights the unique fusion of Native Alaskan’s indigenous beliefs with Orthodox traditions. Powerful storytelling and beautiful cinematography show a sacred bond between Native Alaskans, their faith, and the harsh, yet beautiful land they call home. 

Three main themes of “Sacred Alaska” include: Native Orthodoxy, Alaskan saints and the idea of sanctifying land are perfectly assembled into the mosaic. However, the mosaic wouldn’t be complete without compelling storytelling and testimonies from Orthodox priests, monks and local Native Alaskans who live and breathe Orthodox faith. Engaging stories are followed by captivating scenes of the Alaskan wilderness and harsh living conditions. 

“Sacred Alaska” is not just a historical overview of the growth of Orthodox Christianity in America’s northernmost state among Native Alaskans; it also captures the fusion of Native Alaskan culture and Orthodox spirituality. The film shows what we can learn from Alaskan Orthodoxy. Becoming fully human, caring for the land and the animals are main themes discussed in this documentary. These lessons are not just important for Orthodox Christians, but for all human beings.  

Director, Subdeacon Simon Scionka:  Simon has worked in documentary film for over 20 years, having filmed all around the world in over 40 countries. Simon has produced long form and short form documentary films having received multiple festival honors and awards for the films Poverty, Inc., Be Relentless, and The Gentle Bear-man of Emo, as well as short form documentaries The Wonder of Coffee and Mrs. Schneider. Simon lives in Colorado with his wife and 4 children, and serves as a subdeacon at Holy Theophany Orthodox Church.

Producer, Subdeacon Silas Karbo:  Silas has worked in film for the past 5 years. He has produced multiple projects centered around the Orthodox Church for the OCA Diocese of the West, the Russian Choral Heritage Foundation and Holy Theophany Church. Silas also has experience in different areas of rural Alaska, working with the monastics on Spruce Island, and commercial fishing in Bristol Bay.  Silas lives in Colorado with his wife Mele and serves as subdeacon at Holy Theophany Orthodox Church.