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We have 17 new videos that are available now: (Keep scrolling down for details and hyperlinks to the product pages.)

We are very pleased to announce that ST. INNOCENT/ FIREBIRD has started making English voice-overs of some of our wonderful Russian language videos, so that they may be accessible to English-speaking people. So far we have 9 that are completed and available, and several others that will be available in a few months. [Please click on the below hyperlink titles for detailed information & picture of the item.] 

Seen through Russian eyes, the video presents an inspiring account of the life and martyrdom of the highly-venerated, recently glorified New Martyr, Grand Duchess St. Elizabeth Fedorovna Romanova (1864-1918), within the historical context of the last years of Imperial Russia, and Russia’s disintegration at the hands of traitors and terrorists. The video utilizes numerous archival photos of the new saint and of the Romanov imperial family, and considerable archival film footage.  

This excellently crafted and fascinating video depicts the history of the construction, destruction, and current reconstruction of Russia’s most famous church. Included are: the consecration of the exterior of the church, of the bells, and excerpts of the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy in the lower Transfiguration Church on the Feast of the Transfiguration in 1997. An excellent companion to the Great Consecration of Christ the Savior Cathedral video set  (see below).

This  fascinating program contains a brief account of the history of the 14th century Savior- Andronikov Monastery in Moscow, and the creation of the Andrei Rublev Museum of Icons at the former monastery during the Soviet period. Many of the museum’s wonderful icons are shown. St. Andrei Rublev (ca.1360-70 – ca.1427-30), a disciple of St. Sergius of Radonezh, lived at this monastery at the beginning of the fifteenth century. During this time he did the iconography work for the monastery’s stone Cathedral of the Savior (1410-27), which is the oldest stone building in Moscow. The video portrays: aspects of St. Andrei’s life and iconographic work; some of the buildings of the former monastery; many of the icons in the museum; several interviews with the Museum Director and Museum Art Historian; and an excerpt of a Divine Service in the Savior Cathedral, which had just been re-opened in May, 1991.

Speculation in Paint is another must-see for all icon-lovers, in which numerous examples of the finest old Russian icons, plus contemporary icons are shown. Ideal for many educational uses, this concise and engrossing video will engage the viewer (teens & adults), as it contrasts the opposing world-views of authentic Orthodox icons with Western religious painting, and what each says about the conflict between good and evil, and the meaning and purpose of life. How the different painting styles and techniques convey different spiritual and theological concepts is explained. Authentic icons—those that correctly reflect Orthodox theology—are contrasted to inauthentic, westernized "pseudo-icons," and compared to the world-view reflected in Western religious paintings. This video also discusses how Western paintings and icons express the universal struggle between good and evil—between the "reign of the beast," especially evident in war and in the depiction of evil in paintings by Hieronymous Bosch, that is in sharp contrast to icons—where evil is overcome by the power of Christ’s Resurrection. The video presents these opposing world-views as a challenge for the viewer to choose sides now between making the universe into a zoo, ruled by "the Beast," or making the universe into a unified temple of the Living God, of which the Orthodox church-temple is a model.

An indispensable educational tool for church, school and home, this superbly crafted video is marvelous for anyone who wishes to better understand icons. This beautiful and sensitive video emphasizes the meaning of icons, with a text that does justice to the beauty of the icons, churches and Russian village scenes shown, and is a treat for all lovers of icons, of the Orthodox Faith and of Russian culture. This delightful video explains the role of icons in traditional Russian Orthodox life, and briefly contrasts the humanistic religious art of the West with the transcendent art of Russian icons.  The profound miracle of icons reveals that each person is made in the image and likeness of God, and is a part of the Unified Divine Order of God’s world. Also shown here are the painstaking work of restoring old icons, darkened with age, and the techniques of creating icons, beginning with the preparation of the board and paints. Of excellent technical quality, this lovely video is a real gem, that will enrich all viewers.

This fine program depicts 11 of the magnificent Orthodox churches of St. Petersburg, and tells of their history and spiritual traditions, and of the 4 saints of this city whose relics lie in the churches and cemeteries. Shown are the interiors and exteriors of the churches, with some aerial views, icons and short excerpts of services and processions. There is a lovely music-track of sacred music. Included are:

This beautiful video fulfills an important educational need in presenting to English-speaking people a glimpse into life at a major Russian monastery. The history of the monastery, its buildings, caves and the present-day life of one of Russia's most beautiful and well- preserved monasteries are portrayed here. Dedicated to the Mother of God, it is located in Pechory, near Pskov, very near the Estonian border. Unlike most other Russian monasteries, shut down by the Communists, the only time that this "heaven-protected" monastery was closed was during the German occupation of World War II.

This excellent video provides insight into the struggles of many of the monasteries in Russia, which were closed by the Soviets, and re-opened during the 1990's, after the fall of the Communists.

Also shown are parts of the Nativity of Christ celebrations, with visiting children, their parents and the bishop, and summertime feasts, including the blessing of water at the sacred spring and drinking of the health-giving water in a special healing ministry to the handicapped. There is considerable lovely singing by the sisterhood.

This video is a treat for all lovers of St. Xenia. It provides a brief look at the Smolensk Orthodox Cemetery at the northwestern edge of St. Petersburg, where Blessed St. Xenia of Petersburg (ca.1719-30 – ca.1803) spent most of her nights during her 45 years of wandering the streets of St. Petersburg. Here she secretly helped in the building of the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Birthgiver of God, by carrying bricks up to the top of the scaffolding every night. This church and its sacred namesake icon are shown. It was at this cemetery where Blessed Xenia was buried, and eventually a chapel was built over her tomb. This chapel is a major place of pilgrimage in St. Petersburg, always bustling with people who come to venerate the saint’s tomb and to ask for her help, and to pray the Molebens and Akathists that are offered throughout the day. People pray with great fervor by her relics.

Included are: small excerpts of processions and Molebens; the interiors and exteriors of both buildings and the cemetery grounds; various icons of St. Xenia and the wonder-working Smolensk icon of the Mother of God; an awesome evocation of the saint’s presence; and a visit by Patriarch Aleksei II to venerate Blessed Xenia’s tomb.

If you said "prosko-what???" you need to watch this video. It briefly explains what the Proskomedia (pros-ko-meed-dee-ya) is, and then shows a complete Proskomedia. The Proskomedia is the Liturgy of Oblation, or Preparation of the Bread (Prosfora) and wine, that is done at the beginning of every Divine Liturgy. It is the first part of the Liturgy, that is done before the public part of the Orthodox Divine Liturgy at the Table of Oblation/Offering in the Sanctuary. Therefore very few people have ever seen the Proskomedia. It is very beautiful and meaningful, and by seeing it, one can better understand other liturgical action. By watching the Proskomedia, the viewer can see how the Prosfora is used; how a particle of bread is removed for every person prayed for and placed on the diskos; and how the living and departed are united together in the the Chalice of Christ's Mystical Body and Blood. This video is excerpted from the end of our HOW TO MAKE ORTHODOX PROSFORA   #2 video, for convenience of use in educational programs, and for those who don't wish to watch the whole process of making Prosfora. This video is ideal to show in many parish educational and Lenten programs, and other educational situations. Every parish should have this video, for it fulfills a very important educational need.

NEW VIDEOS OF THE CONSECRATION OF A BISHOP

On November 1st and 2nd, 2002, in Detroit, Michigan, eight bishops, presided over by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, concelebrated this momentous event in the life of the Orthodox Church in North America---the consecration of a new bishop. We produced and directed the official 3-camera videotaping of the complete Divine Services, plus a 1-camera production of the Banquet and reception. (There is a special $15 discount if you purchase the complete 4-tape, 8-hour set.)  Click on the hyperlinked titles to to go to our product page, and see many photos of the consecration, and read a brief description of the major elements of the consecration of the new bishop.

This awesome double-video set of the complete 4-hour Consecration Hierarchal Divine Liturgy is a beautiful, all-digital, 3-camera, carefully-edited, professional production.  Click on the hyperlinked title to to go to our product page, and see many photos of the consecration, and read a brief description of the major elements of the consecration of the new bishop.

A special Hierarchal Vespers, with the consecrating hierarchs standing across the front of the church, always is served the evening preceding the Consecration of a Bishop. After the Vespers, there is a special Rite of the Announcement of the Election and the Calling of the Candidate to the Office of Bishop. After hymns and complete censing by the bishop-elect (the last time as a priest), a senior priest reads the Announcement, and the bishop-elect, standing in the center of the Holy/Royal Doors, reads his acceptance of the call. Then the consecrating hierarchs sign the registry of the Holy Synod, as witnesses and as validly-consecrated hierarchs, who will participate in the Laying-on-of-Hands. The presiding hierarch then blesses the candidate. Edited into this video are very extensive views of the lovely icons, altar and iconostasis of the beautiful Bishop's Cathedral. The final 20 minutes show relaxing highlights of the reception that followed, with many informal scenes of the hierarchs and guests.

NEW VIDEO OF DIVINE SERVICES IN RUSSIA

This is the superb television recording of the spectacular complete Great Consecration of the Upper Church of Christ the Savior Cathedral. It is an unforgettable highlight in the life of the Church of Russia and the city of Moscow, and for all Orthodox people everywhere, and for all lovers of the Russian Orthodox Faith. The entire day's celebration is a totally awesome, not-to-be-missed experience. Joining all the Patriarchs and other Heads of Autocephalous and Autonomous Orthodox Churches (or their representatives) are hundreds of bishops, plus countless archimandrites, priests, nuns, monks, seminarians, political leaders, and thousands of lay people, inside and outside. There are numerous deacons and sub-deacons serving, and three magnificent choirs. The many cameras in different locations show all the details of the fascinating rite of the consecration of the new altar. The television film crew indeed do justice to this mind-boggling event-of-the-century, and the glorious miracle of the resurrection from ashes of the Great Church of Russia.  (An ideal companion to this video is our English version of The Great Church of Russia: CHRIST THE SAVIOR CATHEDRAL, about the cathedral's history and reconstruction.)

4. MORE NEW VIDEOS COMING SOON

We have changed the packaging of our inexpensive Baptism and Marriage PAMPHLETS, to distribute at Baptisms, Weddings and First Confessions, so you don't have to buy 100 at a time.  Each pamphlet is available in your choice of colors -- attractive, heavy-weight (24 lb.) pink, blue or tan parchment paper-- and are now being offered in packs of 25 for $5.00, (rather than the previous packaging of 100 for $20).  And they may be personalized too for just $10, regardless of the quantity. Don't lose the educational opportunity afforded at Baptisms and Weddings to explain the meaning of these wonderful Sacraments/Holy Mysteries. These pamphlets are also great to use in parish education for teens and adults.

Our 2004 catalog, listing all of our 113 products, is now available. If you wish to receive a copy, please let us know. (catalog@firebirdvideos.com)   If you have previously received our catalog or placed an order, but have moved since then, please let us know your new address, so we can send a current catalog and include you in our future mailings. If you will be moving in the future, please let us know your new address, so you may continue to receive our occasional mailings. (N.B. Your contact information is completely confidential: we do not give out your information to anyone.)

Please note that we have a "PRODUCT LIST," in which we have a complete sequential listing of all our ever-increasing products, with hyperlinks to each product. We hope that this will help you to navigate our site easily, and to quickly find the products that most interest you. You may want to print out this list for reference and for ease in ordering.

Please note that we are hosting the web page of St. Innocent Orthodox Church in Redford, Michigan, here on this web site. Included are numerous photos of the beautiful icons of saints that cover the walls. Please check it out.