Church History
Orthodoxy Under Ottoman Rule
For nearly 400 years (1453-1821+), Orthodox Christians lived under Ottoman rule. The Ecumenical Patriarch was recognized as 'ethnarch' (civil leader) of all Orthodox Christians. The Church preserved Greek language, education, and faith despite oppression. New Martyrs emerged: those killed for refusing conversion to Islam.
Sources
- Timothy Ware, The Orthodox Church (Ch. 5-7: the Ottoman centuries) archive.org
- Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, The Illness and Cure of the Soul in the Orthodox Tradition
- Ecumenical Patriarchate Historical Archives