We cannot understand and know everything. We are limited. Our best scientists eventually scratch their heads. Bound by time, we cannot grasp fundamental matter, nor can we reach the end of the universe. We can exist too comfortably in the bubble of the known, for beyond this, we hover, trembling, suspended in mystery.

Within the architecture of every Eastern Orthodox church, there is a wall of icons which sits as a threshold between the Nave and the Altar. This wall is a visualized meeting place for the fringe of our understanding and the beginning of Divine mystery. But veils are eventually meant to be opened, and so there is a door, a place to participate in the revelation of the Unknown. 

What happens when we dance with the Unknown? It becomes Known through experience.

We call this Grace: The most powerful force in the universe. Greater than gravity because it cannot be measured or objectified. It can only be experienced. We receive it as a gift that transforms our being, makes us whole. This door to Grace is constantly being opened, in every place and at every moment.

Love has no measure, yet it is known.

Facing Phantoms seeks to reveal the profound wisdom and transformative power inherent in the ancient tradition of Eastern Orthodoxy. It advocates for the significance of tradition in a world where human connections have eroded, societal values are in flux, and the pursuit of beauty and meaning have been overshadowed by a relentless march towards progress, materialism and endless distraction. Anxiety, depression, and suicide are rising with the pace of global temperatures. Humanity is adrift. An anchor might be to our benefit.

At its core, this film delves into the notion that the pursuit of beauty is not a mere aesthetic endeavor, but a path towards discovering a deeper purpose as human beings. It delves into a structured mode of existence, which embraces the material world as a gateway to experience Perfect Love. Through the engagement of our senses, this tradition invites us to reconnect with our spirituality, grounding us in the physical realm while also transcending its limitations.

Amidst the chaos of modernity, this film calls for a reevaluation of our relationship with tradition, mythology, and mysticism. It challenges the prevailing paradigm that dismisses the spiritual and mystical dimensions of existence, urging us to rediscover the profound wisdom embedded in ancestral traditions. Ultimately, it offers a glimpse into a holistic way of living that harmonizes the material and the spiritual, leading us towards personal transformation, a rekindling of purpose, and a renewed sense of beauty in our lives.