Orthodox Radio and TV Broadcasting


THE PROBLEM: Hundreds of people are coming to Christ in Russia today, and most Russians sympathize with Christianity and would like to know more about their religious roots. For many years they have been deprived of an opportunity to hear the Christian message or to obtain even an elementary knowledge about Christianity. Obviously, in this situation the scale of catechization should correspond to this unprecedented growth of the number of those who are coming to Christ. In this light, the potential of radio and television for catechetical and educational work can hardly be overestimated.

The aim of the project:

to organize a regular Orthodox radio and TV broadcasting through the Radonezh radio-TV company.

The Radonezh began broadcasting in March 1991. Its daily air-time has been 2 hours, and its outreach embraces Moscow, southern Russia, Ukraine, and the Mediterranean.

A TV studio has been set up under the project. To equip it a TV control room, special TV effect devices and stationery Tesla tape-recorders were bought and installed. Regular broadcasting began in 1995. The following three weekly programs are broadcast through Ostankino Channel 1: Pastor’s Word on Saturdays for 20 min.; Program for Children on Sundays for 10 min.; and a movable show within the Morning program for 10 min. The themes for programs on the Central and cable TV include: “Lessons on Morality and Devotion”; “Answers to Adults’ Questions”; “Feasts” about the liturgical year of the Russian Orthodox Church; “A Worldview in Colors” about Orthodox icons; “Church History”; “Our Language” about the Russian and Slavonic Languages; “Church News”; “Holy Cloisters” about Russian monasteries and churches and their history and present-day life; and “The Church” about divine services, church singing and art. Some TV programs have been transmitted more than once. Two one-hour programs were broadcast by the Central TV three times.

This project is special in that its equipment is available to other organizations and structures in the Russian Orthodox Church. The project therefore is of all-church significance. The programs of the Radonezh Broadcasting Company are intended to preach Christianity throughout Russia. The life of the Church embraces the best achievements of humanity in culture, art, science and social life. All the programs, therefore, whatever the spiritual disposition of a listener or a viewer may be, help to fill the tragic gap that has formed in the knowledge and spiritual culture of several generations of Russians and to introduce them to the spiritual richness of Christianity.