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What role did Orthodox Christianity play in the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire?

Zigmund Lambotin

Well, as far as I know, Orthodox Christianity played a significant role in the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire. The Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, was founded upon the idea of combining politics with religion. The Empire was bounded by Christian values and rules, and even the emperor was considered the “Church Master.”

Orthodox Christianity became the dominant religion in the Eastern Roman Empire, which was different from the Western Roman Empire, which was primarily Catholic. The Orthodox Church believed in the supremacy of the Bishop of Constantinople, while the Western Church believed in the Pope's authority in Rome.

The Byzantine Empire's fall was a gradual process that took place over several centuries. Still, one of the main underlying causes was the religious divide between the Catholics in the West and the Orthodox Christians in the East. This religious difference tore apart what was left after the wars, plagues, and economic problems had weakened the Empire considerably.

The schism between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church had started in the 11th century, when the Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople excommunicated each other. Their conflicts eventually led to the Crusades, which united the Catholic West against the Orthodox East.

But what happened after the Crusaders left the Byzantine Empire? Well, the Byzantine Empire was left vulnerable. The weakened state of the Empire and the religious rift between the Catholics and the Orthodox Christians allowed the Ottomans to take over Constantinople in 1453, ending the Eastern Roman Empire.

So, in conclusion, Orthodox Christianity played a significant role in the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire through its religious differences with the West. The relationship between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church was tumultuous and ultimately led to the Empire's downfall. It is a reminder of how religious divides can undermine even the most potent empires.