Today is the anniversary of the fall of Constantinople. The Queen of the Cities fell on 29 May 1453. Constantine Dragases Paleologos fell in battle against the forces of Sultan Mehmet II. The Greek Army numbered 7,000 and the Ottoman Turks had an army of 80,000.
Despite being overwhelmed, the Greeks held out for nearly two months until they could hold out no more. The Emperor Constantine died fighting to the end. He refused all suggestions that he should leave and go into exile. He died bravely in battle accepting a martyr’s death.
At the time of the fall of the City, the Greeks had been badly divided. The previous Emperor John and the Bishops had accepted the heretical Council of Florence. They had entered into communion with the Papacy and accepted Roman Catholic doctrines in denial of Orthodoxy.
Some things never change. The Greek Orthodox Church today is in chaos owing to the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to enter into communion with schismatics in Ukraine. Bishops in Greece and Cyprus, and the Patriarchate of Alexandria have followed the lead of the Ecumenical Patriarch. At the time of the Council of Florence, the Greek speaking world was blessed to have Saint Mark of Ephesus speaking against the Union of Florence.
There are today bishops in Greece and Cyprus who have spoken against the Patriarchate’s actions in Ukraine. We should hope and pray that they will prevail and that the Greek speaking Churches will reverse their disastrous decisions. Their are some encouraging signs such as the fact that Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens wants to restore relations with the Russian Church.
Russian bishops have said that they are praying for Patriarch Bartholomew and his synod. The Russian Church has stated that it hopes for a resolution to the Ukrainian crisis. It appears that there is still a chance to under the damage of the past three years. Greek Orthodox should pray fervently for the Patriarchate to reverse its actions in Ukraine.
The Patriarchal School of Theology in Turkey remains closed. The effort to open the School of Halki was set back because of the Ukrainian issue. Turmoil caused by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Orthodoxy only serves to worsen its position in Turkey.
Greece and Cyprus face possible genocidal threats from Turkey. National unity is necessary. The Greek speaking world does not need a Church schism anymore than the Greek world needed the national schism in 1920 when Prime Minister Venizelos fell from power at the height of the Asia Minor campaign.
The Greek speaking world should reflect on this dark day of May 29 to reflect on the errors of the time and the present mistakes that need to be corrected. Greeks today should pray for the souls of Constantine Paleologos and the defenders of Constantinople who fought heroically and died in defense of the Christian faith and its Capital.
One reply on “Constantinople 2021”
As always in history, Greeks rarely work together towards a common goal-the engage in internecine conflicts which weaken all parties and set themselves up for defeat from outside powers. Byantiaum fell in 1453, but it had been weakened for several centuries beforehand by endless internal strife as well as the damage suffered from the Crusaders. When the Ottoman’s arrived the empire was already on the ropes.
There is a lesson here for all Greeks, I hope we can learn from history. The Phanar needs to recognize the damage he has done to world Orthodoxy and work to repair that damage, while there is still time to do it.