Complex sentence: To a lesser extent, the conflict acquired religious overtones, as adherence to the mystical doctrine of Hesychasm was often equated with support for Kantakouzenos.
Split into simpler sentences: To a lesser extent, the conflict acquired religious overtones. Byzantium was embroiled in the Hesychast controversy, and adherence to the mystical doctrine of Hesychasm was often equated with support for Kantakouzenos.