The ideological currents within Hellenism and Orthodoxy during the period of Turkish domination

This article by Asterios Argyriou examines the ideological currents that ran through Hellenism and Orthodoxy during the period of Ottoman domination, from the fall of Constantinople (1453) to the beginnings of Greek independence. Adopting a historical and theological approach, the author challenges the traditional binary view opposing proponents of the Latin alliance and proponents of collaboration with the Turks. He identifies three distinct currents: a "Christian consciousness" open to the West, an "Eastern consciousness" willing to reach an accommodation with the Sublime Porte, and an "Orthodox consciousness" refusing any compromise with either. The main contribution of the study lies in demonstrating that these three currents, far from canceling each other out, jointly ensured the survival and cohesion of Hellenism and Orthodoxy across four centuries of subjugation.