“American Orthodox” Documentary Sheds Light on Ancient Faith in a Modern Land

A new documentary, American Orthodox, has officially completed production and is now available for local screenings at churches, schools, and seminaries across the United States. Directed and produced by Robert John Hammond, the film premiered on June 8, 2025, at a private screening in Sacramento attended by Orthodox clergy and laity. It now enters the film festival circuit while being actively booked for community showings.

Based on Hammond’s book American Orthodox: Finding the Ancient Faith in the Modern World, the documentary offers a visually rich and spiritually grounded exploration of Orthodoxy’s presence and impact in America. From California’s Fort Ross—where a mysterious icon once washed ashore—to the legacy of St. Peter the Aleut, the film uncovers stories of martyrdom, mission, and mystery that have shaped the Orthodox witness on American soil.

The project features cinematography by Silas Karbo, co-creator of Sacred Alaska, and was filmed in multiple California locations including San Francisco, Jackson, and Calistoga. Promotional materials describe the film as “a deeply personal and visually rich story of spiritual discovery, Orthodox saints, sacred places, and the living tradition of the ancient Christian faith in America.”

American Orthodox was a finalist in the 2024 Palm Springs International Screenplay and Pitchdeck Contest and is an official selection for five film festivals in 2025.

Upcoming public screenings include:

• July 13 – Holy Assumption Monastery, Calistoga, CA
• July 20 – Elevation of the Holy Cross Orthodox Church, Sacramento, CA
• August 17 – St. Andrew the Apostle Orthodox Church, Carson City, NV

Those interested in hosting a screening can contact the filmmaker directly at AmericanOrthodoxFilm@gmail.com.

For more information or to purchase the companion book, visit Amazon.com.

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