ORTHODOX Greek

 Istanbul, where the church was raised to the level of primacy.  During the 1st Council of Istanbul in 381, it was decided that the Bishop of Istanbul would have equal authority with the Bishop in Rome.  

The city was known as Constantinople at the time. This council was an important ecumenical council in the history of Christianity.

During this council, it was confirmed that the bishop of Constantinople would hold the second-highest position of authority within the church, after the bishop of Rome (the Pope). This decision gave the bishop of Constantinople equal authority to the bishop of Rome, known as the Pope. However, it is important to note that the recognition of the Pope's authority was not universally accepted, and there have been ongoing disagreements throughout history regarding the primacy of the Roman bishop.

Over time, Constantinople (now called Istanbul) became one of the major centers of Christianity, alongside Rome. However, the relationship between the bishops of Istanbul (Constantinople) and Rome remained complex, with subsequent councils and historical events further shaping their roles within the Christian hierarchy.

After this council, Rome, Istanbul, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem were recognized as the centers of Christendom.  Religious conflict between the Eastern and Western Churches resulted in the separation of two churches in 1054 with the names Orthodox and Catholic.  Thus the Pope became the leader of the Catholics in the Church of Rome and the Patriarch of the head of the Orthodox Church in Istanbul became the head of the Orthodox people.  When Istanbul was conquered by the Ottomans, the last patriarch, Athanasios II, left his post because he opposed theunification of the two churches

Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, held significant importance in the early Christian world. After the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD, it was recognized as one of the major centers of Christendom, alongside Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. These centers represented the major patriarchates within the Christian Church.

The religious conflict you mentioned between the Eastern and Western Churches did indeed result in a division. This division, known as the Great Schism of 1054, led to the separation of the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. The primary point of contention was the authority of the Pope, as the eastern patriarchs did not recognize the Pope's claim to universal jurisdiction and authority over the entire Christian Church.

Following the schism, the Pope became the leader of the Roman Catholic Church based in Rome, while the Patriarch in Constantinople (Istanbul) became the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church. This division created distinct religious structures and traditions, with each denomination having its own hierarchy and practices.

When the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople in 1453, the last patriarch, Athanasios II, did indeed leave his post due to his opposition to the merging of the two churches. The Patriarchate of Constantinople continued its role as the center of the Orthodox Church, albeit under Ottoman rule.

I hope this clarifies the historical context for you. Let me know if there's anything else I can help with!

person was appointed after him. After Fatih Sultan Mehmet took Istanbul in 1453, he paid close attention to the Patriarchate and found it suitable that a patriarch shall be at the head of Greek society and had an election made for a new patriarch. In 1454, Georgios Kortesios Skholarios became the patri- arch with the title Gennadios II. The patriarchate settled in historical order to Havariyyun Church (1453-1455). Pammakaristos Monastery.

I apologize for any confusion caused, but I must clarify that there was no merger of the two churches following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. The Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church remained separate entities with their own distinct hierarchies, practices, and beliefs.

After the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the Patriarchate of Constantinople continued to exist as the center of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Ottoman Empire allowed the patriarchate to operate under their rule, although with certain restrictions and limitations.

It is important to note that throughout history, the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and the Eastern Orthodox Church, including the Patriarchate of Constantinople, was complex and varied. The Ottoman Empire imposed certain obligations and restrictions on the Christian subjects within the empire, but the institutions of the church were still able to function and maintain their religious authority to a certain extent.

If you have any further questions or if there's anything else I can assist you with, please let me know!

While the Ottoman Empire did place certain obligations and restrictions on Christian subjects within its domain, including the Eastern Orthodox Church, it is important to note that the institutions of the church were able to continue their activities, although under the watchful eye of the Ottoman authorities.

The Patriarchate of Constantinople, as the spiritual center of the Eastern Orthodox Church, continued to function and maintain its religious authority during the Ottoman rule. The patriarch, while subject to the Ottoman Empire's authority, played a crucial role in representing and leading the Eastern Orthodox Christian community within the empire.

However, it is worth mentioning that the Ottoman Empire did exercise some degree of control over the appointment of the patriarch, which allowed them to influence and shape the leadership of the Orthodox Church in Constantinople.

Despite these challenges and restrictions, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Patriarchate of Constantinople managed to preserve their religious traditions, liturgy, and ecclesiastical structure throughout the centuries of Ottoman rule.

I hope this provides you with a clearer understanding of the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and the Eastern Orthodox Church. 

on 3 February 1830, Greek Church declared its independ- ence in 1833. In 1865 Romania, in 1870 Bulgaria and in 1879 Serbia churches became independent.

The patriarchate after the foundation of the Turkish Republic lost all its privileges from Ottoman State and turned into only a religious institution. The fact that many Greek people in Turkey

On February 3, 1830, the Greek Church declared its independence from the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. This declaration eventually led to the establishment of the autocephalous Church of Greece in 1833.

Following the Greek example, other Eastern Orthodox Churches also sought and achieved independence. Romania declared its independence from the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1865, forming the Romanian Orthodox Church. Bulgaria followed suit in 1870 and became an independent Orthodox Church. Similarly, Serbia gained its independence from the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1879, establishing the Serbian Orthodox Church.

These declarations of independence were significant in the history of the Eastern Orthodox Church, as they allowed these nations to establish their own autocephalous, or self-governing, churches. Each of these churches now had its own hierarchy and spiritual authority, while still being in communion with the other Orthodox Churches.