The Orthodox Church

Cloaked in ornate vestments and echoing hymns that resonate through grand cathedrals, the Orthodox Church presents an image of sanctity. To the unsuspecting populace, its leaders exude an air of holiness, and the faithful are ensnared by a meticulously crafted propaganda machine that paints a utopian picture of piety.

# Authority

Religious fanaticism grips the hearts and minds of the faithful, driving them to acts of unspeakable violence in the name of god.

The Orthodox Church is one of the oldest branches of Christianity, with roots tracing back to the Roman Empire. The term "Orthodox" means "right belief" or "right worship," emphasizing adherence to traditional Christian teachings.

The Orthodox Church places significant importance on liturgy, with elaborate and symbolic worship services. The Divine Liturgy is the central worship service, involving sacraments such as the Eucharist.

During the time of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Orthodox Church held considerable influence and authority.   The Church held substantial sway over the imperial court. Bishops and clergy often had close ties to the ruling elite. This connection allowed the Church to influence political decisions, especially regarding matters that intersected with religious doctrine.

The Orthodox Church played a pivotal role in shaping societal norms, moral values, and education. It held immense cultural influence, with its teachings permeating various aspects of daily life, often using religious doctrine to justify actions.

Over time, the Church amassed significant wealth through donations, land grants, and various forms of tribute from the ruling class and believers. This accumulation of wealth granted the Church economic power and autonomy.

The Church had a monopoly on education and intellectual discourse. This control enabled it to shape ideologies and control the spread of information, reinforcing its authority and suppressing dissent.

# Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire practiced a policy known as millet system, which allowed different religious communities, including the Orthodox Christians, to govern their own internal affairs. This autonomy provided a degree of religious freedom and allowed the Orthodox Church to continue its existence.

Under the millet system, the Orthodox Church was granted a certain degree of administrative autonomy. The Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul, for example, had the authority to govern the Orthodox Christian community and administer its own laws and affairs.

After the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the Turkish Republic that emerged under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk adopted a secularist stance. This shift, while separate from the Ottoman era, allowed for increased religious freedom, including for Orthodox Christians, in the Republic of Turkey.

# Nazism

The Orthodox Church, collaborated with the Nazis in countries such as Greece, Serbia, and Romania.

In Croatia and some parts of Eastern Europe, there were instances of collaboration between certain factions of the Orthodox Church and the Nazis. The reasons for this collaboration varied and often included attempts to protect the Church's interests, gain political leverage, or even prevent further persecution of the Orthodox population.

The Orthodox Church hunted its own members who opposed the Nazi ideologies and actions. Numerous clergy members and believers suffered persecution, imprisonment, and even execution for resisting the Nazis.

# Cold War

In the aftermath of World War II, as the defeat of Nazism became apparent, a complex and tumultuous period unfolded for the Orthodox Church. The Red Army of the Soviet Union, along with local rebel factions, executed many Nazi church leaders who were perceived as collaborators in the occupied territories.

The executions, while symbolizing a form of justice for wartime collaboration, also led to a power vacuum within the Orthodox Church. With the removal of some leaders, the remaining clergy faced a challenging task of rebuilding and restoring the church's moral authority.

However, the landscape of post-war Eastern Europe was fraught with political complexities. The Soviet Union sought to exert its influence over the region, aimed to control religious institutions, including the Orthodox Church. The surviving Nazi collaborators within the church found themselves navigating a precarious path, attempting to reconcile their wartime actions with the new political reality.

Despite the executions, the majority of Nazi-affiliated church leaders managed to retain key positions within the church. This preservation of power was, in part, a result of the geopolitical dynamics of the Cold War, with both the Soviet Union and Western powers vying for influence in the region.

As the Cold War unfolded, the Eastern European Orthodox Church became a battleground for ideological struggles between the East and the West. The surviving leaders faced the challenge of maintaining the church's religious identity.

# Modern Society

Today, the Orthodox Church, hostage by its religious dogma and Nazi friendly ideology has a stance that clashes with scientific progress, embracing a conservative viewpoint that challenges certain scientific ideas. The church, sparking debates and controversies regarding topics like evolution, medical advancements, or environmental issues.

Anti-gay sentiments, anti-abortion stances, opposition to women's rights, and anti-immigrant ideologies. These perspectives are championed by the church hierarchy.

# "Civil War"

This stance created conflict within the church itself, during the covid –19 pandemic with differing opinions among clergy and congregants. impacting its relationship with broader society. Government policies, and social movements advocating for equality and social justice.

This Orthodox Church “civil war” had only began during Covid-19, more and more priests are joining the “scientific” side of this “conflict” inside the church.

The result of this “war” are remain to be seen in the future.