Cyprus-Forum.com

[insan]

Not Byzantine "leftovers", but proud bloodline continuities.
Do you not complain how intricately we are woven with the Greek Orthodox Church? The Cypriot line has never been broken.

You mean the Church that did not exit until Ottoman arrival?

That you did not extinguish us entirely, is a blessing.


In the final analysis, all these rights and privileges, including freedom of worship and religious organization, seldom corresponded to reality. It is not "rights" but cruel facts that stare us in the face. The legal privileges of the patriarch and the Church depended, in fact, on the whim and mercy of the Sultan and the Sublime Porte, while Christians were viewed as little more than second class citizens or infidels. Moreover, Turkish corruption and brutality, about which our textbooks wax so eloquently, were not a myth. That it was the "infidel" Christian who experienced this more than anyone else is not in doubt. Nor were pogroms of Christians in these centuries unknown. Devastating, too, for the Church was the fact that it could not bear witness to Christ. Missionary work among Moslems was dangerous and indeed impossible, whereas conversion to Islam was entirely legal and permissible. On the other hand, converts to Islam who returned to Orthodoxy were automatically put to death. Of a piece with this situation was the fact that new churches could not be built and even the ringing of church bells was not allowed. Finally, the education of the clergy and the Christian population fared no better - it either ceased or was of a rudimentary kind.

The Results of Corruption.

It was likewise the Church's fate to be affected by the Turkish system of corruption. The patriarchal throne was frequently sold to the highest bidder, while new patriarchal investiture was accompanied by heavy payment to the government. In order to recoup these enormous losses, patriarchs and bishops taxed the local parishes and their clergy. Nor was the patriarchal throne ever secure. Few patriarchs between the fifteenth and the twentieth century died a natural death while in office. The forced abdications, exiles, hangings, drownings, and poisonings of patriarchs are all too well documented. But if the patriarch's position was precarious so was the hierarchy's. The hanging of patriarch Gregory V from the gate of the patriarchate on Easter Sunday 1821 was accompanied by the execution of two metropolitans and twelve bishops. (The gate, incidentally, still remains closed in St. Gregory's memory.) The above summary - stark and short as it is - is sufficient to convey the persecution, decay, and humiliation that Eastern Christendom suffered under Ottoman rule. If we add to this tragic fate the militant communist atheism under which most Orthodox have lived since 1917, we get some sense of the dislocation and suffering of Eastern Christianity in the last five hundred years. The grave problems that western Christians have had to face as a result of the French Revolution and the secularization of western society in general might be said to pale against these facts. That the captive Eastern Church has retained its identity and survived is nothing short of miraculous. It is to the credit of the Orthodox that they have remained faithful to the saving faith of Christ.

See also

* History of Eastern Christianity
* History of Christianity
* Christian Church
* Ottoman Greece

[lola-tulip]

Not Byzantine "leftovers", but proud bloodline continuities.
Do you not complain how intricately we are woven with the Greek Orthodox Church? The Cypriot line has never been broken.

You mean the Church that did not exit until Ottoman arrival?

That you did not extinguish us entirely, is a blessing.


In the final analysis, all these rights and privileges, including freedom of worship and religious organization, seldom corresponded to reality. It is not "rights" but cruel facts that stare us in the face. The legal privileges of the patriarch and the Church depended, in fact, on the whim and mercy of the Sultan and the Sublime Porte, while Christians were viewed as little more than second class citizens or infidels. Moreover, Turkish corruption and brutality, about which our textbooks wax so eloquently, were not a myth. That it was the "infidel" Christian who experienced this more than anyone else is not in doubt. Nor were pogroms of Christians in these centuries unknown. Devastating, too, for the Church was the fact that it could not bear witness to Christ. Missionary work among Moslems was dangerous and indeed impossible, whereas conversion to Islam was entirely legal and permissible. On the other hand, converts to Islam who returned to Orthodoxy were automatically put to death. Of a piece with this situation was the fact that new churches could not be built and even the ringing of church bells was not allowed. Finally, the education of the clergy and the Christian population fared no better - it either ceased or was of a rudimentary kind.

The Results of Corruption.

It was likewise the Church's fate to be affected by the Turkish system of corruption. The patriarchal throne was frequently sold to the highest bidder, while new patriarchal investiture was accompanied by heavy payment to the government. In order to recoup these enormous losses, patriarchs and bishops taxed the local parishes and their clergy. Nor was the patriarchal throne ever secure. Few patriarchs between the fifteenth and the twentieth century died a natural death while in office. The forced abdications, exiles, hangings, drownings, and poisonings of patriarchs are all too well documented. But if the patriarch's position was precarious so was the hierarchy's. The hanging of patriarch Gregory V from the gate of the patriarchate on Easter Sunday 1821 was accompanied by the execution of two metropolitans and twelve bishops. (The gate, incidentally, still remains closed in St. Gregory's memory.) The above summary - stark and short as it is - is sufficient to convey the persecution, decay, and humiliation that Eastern Christendom suffered under Ottoman rule. If we add to this tragic fate the militant communist atheism under which most Orthodox have lived since 1917, we get some sense of the dislocation and suffering of Eastern Christianity in the last five hundred years. The grave problems that western Christians have had to face as a result of the French Revolution and the secularization of western society in general might be said to pale against these facts. That the captive Eastern Church has retained its identity and survived is nothing short of miraculous. It is to the credit of the Orthodox that they have remained faithful to the saving faith of Christ.

You are pleased with such behaviour? Perhaps, Christian Genocide leaves you simply hysterical with mirth?

http://www.serfes.org/orthodox/memoryof.htm

[insan]

Not Byzantine "leftovers", but proud bloodline continuities.
Do you not complain how intricately we are woven with the Greek Orthodox Church? The Cypriot line has never been broken.

You mean the Church that did not exit until Ottoman arrival?

That you did not extinguish us entirely, is a blessing.


In the final analysis, all these rights and privileges, including freedom of worship and religious organization, seldom corresponded to reality. It is not "rights" but cruel facts that stare us in the face. The legal privileges of the patriarch and the Church depended, in fact, on the whim and mercy of the Sultan and the Sublime Porte, while Christians were viewed as little more than second class citizens or infidels. Moreover, Turkish corruption and brutality, about which our textbooks wax so eloquently, were not a myth. That it was the "infidel" Christian who experienced this more than anyone else is not in doubt. Nor were pogroms of Christians in these centuries unknown. Devastating, too, for the Church was the fact that it could not bear witness to Christ. Missionary work among Moslems was dangerous and indeed impossible, whereas conversion to Islam was entirely legal and permissible. On the other hand, converts to Islam who returned to Orthodoxy were automatically put to death. Of a piece with this situation was the fact that new churches could not be built and even the ringing of church bells was not allowed. Finally, the education of the clergy and the Christian population fared no better - it either ceased or was of a rudimentary kind.

The Results of Corruption.

It was likewise the Church's fate to be affected by the Turkish system of corruption. The patriarchal throne was frequently sold to the highest bidder, while new patriarchal investiture was accompanied by heavy payment to the government. In order to recoup these enormous losses, patriarchs and bishops taxed the local parishes and their clergy. Nor was the patriarchal throne ever secure. Few patriarchs between the fifteenth and the twentieth century died a natural death while in office. The forced abdications, exiles, hangings, drownings, and poisonings of patriarchs are all too well documented. But if the patriarch's position was precarious so was the hierarchy's. The hanging of patriarch Gregory V from the gate of the patriarchate on Easter Sunday 1821 was accompanied by the execution of two metropolitans and twelve bishops. (The gate, incidentally, still remains closed in St. Gregory's memory.) The above summary - stark and short as it is - is sufficient to convey the persecution, decay, and humiliation that Eastern Christendom suffered under Ottoman rule. If we add to this tragic fate the militant communist atheism under which most Orthodox have lived since 1917, we get some sense of the dislocation and suffering of Eastern Christianity in the last five hundred years. The grave problems that western Christians have had to face as a result of the French Revolution and the secularization of western society in general might be said to pale against these facts. That the captive Eastern Church has retained its identity and survived is nothing short of miraculous. It is to the credit of the Orthodox that they have remained faithful to the saving faith of Christ.

You are pleased with such behaviour? Perhaps, Christian Genocide leaves you simply hysterical with mirth?

http://www.serfes.org/orthodox/memoryof.htm

You should look through Vatican...

[lola-tulip]

Not Byzantine "leftovers", but proud bloodline continuities.
Do you not complain how intricately we are woven with the Greek Orthodox Church? The Cypriot line has never been broken.

You mean the Church that did not exit until Ottoman arrival?

That you did not extinguish us entirely, is a blessing.


In the final analysis, all these rights and privileges, including freedom of worship and religious organization, seldom corresponded to reality. It is not "rights" but cruel facts that stare us in the face. The legal privileges of the patriarch and the Church depended, in fact, on the whim and mercy of the Sultan and the Sublime Porte, while Christians were viewed as little more than second class citizens or infidels. Moreover, Turkish corruption and brutality, about which our textbooks wax so eloquently, were not a myth. That it was the "infidel" Christian who experienced this more than anyone else is not in doubt. Nor were pogroms of Christians in these centuries unknown. Devastating, too, for the Church was the fact that it could not bear witness to Christ. Missionary work among Moslems was dangerous and indeed impossible, whereas conversion to Islam was entirely legal and permissible. On the other hand, converts to Islam who returned to Orthodoxy were automatically put to death. Of a piece with this situation was the fact that new churches could not be built and even the ringing of church bells was not allowed. Finally, the education of the clergy and the Christian population fared no better - it either ceased or was of a rudimentary kind.

The Results of Corruption.

It was likewise the Church's fate to be affected by the Turkish system of corruption. The patriarchal throne was frequently sold to the highest bidder, while new patriarchal investiture was accompanied by heavy payment to the government. In order to recoup these enormous losses, patriarchs and bishops taxed the local parishes and their clergy. Nor was the patriarchal throne ever secure. Few patriarchs between the fifteenth and the twentieth century died a natural death while in office. The forced abdications, exiles, hangings, drownings, and poisonings of patriarchs are all too well documented. But if the patriarch's position was precarious so was the hierarchy's. The hanging of patriarch Gregory V from the gate of the patriarchate on Easter Sunday 1821 was accompanied by the execution of two metropolitans and twelve bishops. (The gate, incidentally, still remains closed in St. Gregory's memory.) The above summary - stark and short as it is - is sufficient to convey the persecution, decay, and humiliation that Eastern Christendom suffered under Ottoman rule. If we add to this tragic fate the militant communist atheism under which most Orthodox have lived since 1917, we get some sense of the dislocation and suffering of Eastern Christianity in the last five hundred years. The grave problems that western Christians have had to face as a result of the French Revolution and the secularization of western society in general might be said to pale against these facts. That the captive Eastern Church has retained its identity and survived is nothing short of miraculous. It is to the credit of the Orthodox that they have remained faithful to the saving faith of Christ.

You are pleased with such behaviour? Perhaps, Christian Genocide leaves you simply hysterical with mirth?

http://www.serfes.org/orthodox/memoryof.htm

You should look through Vatican...

I will be sure and pencil in a trip. Meanwhile, please avoid using a 'random comment' generator.

[insan]

Not Byzantine "leftovers", but proud bloodline continuities.
Do you not complain how intricately we are woven with the Greek Orthodox Church? The Cypriot line has never been broken.

You mean the Church that did not exit until Ottoman arrival?

That you did not extinguish us entirely, is a blessing.


In the final analysis, all these rights and privileges, including freedom of worship and religious organization, seldom corresponded to reality. It is not "rights" but cruel facts that stare us in the face. The legal privileges of the patriarch and the Church depended, in fact, on the whim and mercy of the Sultan and the Sublime Porte, while Christians were viewed as little more than second class citizens or infidels. Moreover, Turkish corruption and brutality, about which our textbooks wax so eloquently, were not a myth. That it was the "infidel" Christian who experienced this more than anyone else is not in doubt. Nor were pogroms of Christians in these centuries unknown. Devastating, too, for the Church was the fact that it could not bear witness to Christ. Missionary work among Moslems was dangerous and indeed impossible, whereas conversion to Islam was entirely legal and permissible. On the other hand, converts to Islam who returned to Orthodoxy were automatically put to death. Of a piece with this situation was the fact that new churches could not be built and even the ringing of church bells was not allowed. Finally, the education of the clergy and the Christian population fared no better - it either ceased or was of a rudimentary kind.

The Results of Corruption.

It was likewise the Church's fate to be affected by the Turkish system of corruption. The patriarchal throne was frequently sold to the highest bidder, while new patriarchal investiture was accompanied by heavy payment to the government. In order to recoup these enormous losses, patriarchs and bishops taxed the local parishes and their clergy. Nor was the patriarchal throne ever secure. Few patriarchs between the fifteenth and the twentieth century died a natural death while in office. The forced abdications, exiles, hangings, drownings, and poisonings of patriarchs are all too well documented. But if the patriarch's position was precarious so was the hierarchy's. The hanging of patriarch Gregory V from the gate of the patriarchate on Easter Sunday 1821 was accompanied by the execution of two metropolitans and twelve bishops. (The gate, incidentally, still remains closed in St. Gregory's memory.) The above summary - stark and short as it is - is sufficient to convey the persecution, decay, and humiliation that Eastern Christendom suffered under Ottoman rule. If we add to this tragic fate the militant communist atheism under which most Orthodox have lived since 1917, we get some sense of the dislocation and suffering of Eastern Christianity in the last five hundred years. The grave problems that western Christians have had to face as a result of the French Revolution and the secularization of western society in general might be said to pale against these facts. That the captive Eastern Church has retained its identity and survived is nothing short of miraculous. It is to the credit of the Orthodox that they have remained faithful to the saving faith of Christ.

You are pleased with such behaviour? Perhaps, Christian Genocide leaves you simply hysterical with mirth?

http://www.serfes.org/orthodox/memoryof.htm

You should look through Vatican...

I will be sure and pencil in a trip. Meanwhile, please avoid using a 'random comment' generator.

If it sounds like a "random comment" to your superficial comprehension, you need to train your intellect a lot for at least get one iota of the clue... ... but you better keep living in your 2d world...

http://www.truthbeknown.com/victims.htm

How many people have been killed by Christians since Biblical times?
VICTIMS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

by Kelsos

"WONDERFUL EVENTS THAT TESTIFY TO GOD'S DIVINE GLORY"

Listed are only events that solely occurred on command of church authorities or were committed in the name of Christianity. (List incomplete)

http://www.vaticancrimes.us/

http://www.remnantofgod.org/ustashe.htm

[lola-tulip]

Not Byzantine "leftovers", but proud bloodline continuities.
Do you not complain how intricately we are woven with the Greek Orthodox Church? The Cypriot line has never been broken.

You mean the Church that did not exit until Ottoman arrival?

That you did not extinguish us entirely, is a blessing.


In the final analysis, all these rights and privileges, including freedom of worship and religious organization, seldom corresponded to reality. It is not "rights" but cruel facts that stare us in the face. The legal privileges of the patriarch and the Church depended, in fact, on the whim and mercy of the Sultan and the Sublime Porte, while Christians were viewed as little more than second class citizens or infidels. Moreover, Turkish corruption and brutality, about which our textbooks wax so eloquently, were not a myth. That it was the "infidel" Christian who experienced this more than anyone else is not in doubt. Nor were pogroms of Christians in these centuries unknown. Devastating, too, for the Church was the fact that it could not bear witness to Christ. Missionary work among Moslems was dangerous and indeed impossible, whereas conversion to Islam was entirely legal and permissible. On the other hand, converts to Islam who returned to Orthodoxy were automatically put to death. Of a piece with this situation was the fact that new churches could not be built and even the ringing of church bells was not allowed. Finally, the education of the clergy and the Christian population fared no better - it either ceased or was of a rudimentary kind.

The Results of Corruption.

It was likewise the Church's fate to be affected by the Turkish system of corruption. The patriarchal throne was frequently sold to the highest bidder, while new patriarchal investiture was accompanied by heavy payment to the government. In order to recoup these enormous losses, patriarchs and bishops taxed the local parishes and their clergy. Nor was the patriarchal throne ever secure. Few patriarchs between the fifteenth and the twentieth century died a natural death while in office. The forced abdications, exiles, hangings, drownings, and poisonings of patriarchs are all too well documented. But if the patriarch's position was precarious so was the hierarchy's. The hanging of patriarch Gregory V from the gate of the patriarchate on Easter Sunday 1821 was accompanied by the execution of two metropolitans and twelve bishops. (The gate, incidentally, still remains closed in St. Gregory's memory.) The above summary - stark and short as it is - is sufficient to convey the persecution, decay, and humiliation that Eastern Christendom suffered under Ottoman rule. If we add to this tragic fate the militant communist atheism under which most Orthodox have lived since 1917, we get some sense of the dislocation and suffering of Eastern Christianity in the last five hundred years. The grave problems that western Christians have had to face as a result of the French Revolution and the secularization of western society in general might be said to pale against these facts. That the captive Eastern Church has retained its identity and survived is nothing short of miraculous. It is to the credit of the Orthodox that they have remained faithful to the saving faith of Christ.

You are pleased with such behaviour? Perhaps, Christian Genocide leaves you simply hysterical with mirth?

http://www.serfes.org/orthodox/memoryof.htm

You should look through Vatican...

I will be sure and pencil in a trip. Meanwhile, please avoid using a 'random comment' generator.

If it sounds like a "random comment" to your superficial comprehension, you need to train your intellect a lot for at least get one iota of the clue... ... but you better keep living in your 2d world...

http://www.truthbeknown.com/victims.htm

How many people have been killed by Christians since Biblical times?
VICTIMS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

by Kelsos

"WONDERFUL EVENTS THAT TESTIFY TO GOD'S DIVINE GLORY"

Listed are only events that solely occurred on command of church authorities or were committed in the name of Christianity. (List incomplete)

http://www.vaticancrimes.us/

http://www.remnantofgod.org/ustashe.htm

What has any of this to do with answering shahmaran's statement?

You mean the Church that did not exit until Ottoman arrival?