Greeks in America - eBooks4Greeks.gr

EUROPEAN BACKGROUND 17Romans spread Hellenism.—As students of historyknow, though Eome conquered Greece physically,she was conquered by her captive intellectually—'^the captured took captives of their captors."The Eomans spread Greek ideas, language and civilizationfar and wide as missionaries of Greek cul-It is indeed remarkable how the Eastern Eo-ture.man, or Byzantine, Empire was thoroughly Hellenized,became Greek in reality, though continuingEoman in name. Its long rule of 1,000 years constitutesone of the most significant periods of Grecianhistory. In order to understand the modernGreek in his church and theology, customs and superstition,we must study the Byzantine history.The modem Greek church is a fine picture of Byzantinetimes—especially in architecture, painting, ritualand religious ideas and usages.Fall of Constantinople.—During the Dark AgesConstantinople was the main center of learning, education,and Hellenic civilization. It is needless toremind the reader of the connection between theFall of Constantinople (1453 A. D.) and the Eenaissanceor the revival of learning in Europe.Turkish conquest and oppression.—Through theTurkish invasion into Greek Territories, especiallythe conquest of Constantinople (1453 A.D.) therebegins the real Dark Ages of Hellenism. For fourcenturies, or more, the Greeks were subjected tountold oppression and persecution. The Turkishrule in Greek territories—in fact, wherever theTurk set his foot—^meant age-long slavery, tortureand martyrdom. Still in the midst of all the oppressionand tyranny the Greeks kept the torchof Hellenic culture and Christian civilization burning,even though dimly, thus keeping alive the mtnessfor truth. It is indeed a matter of real wonderthat Hellenism and Christianity were not wiped outentirely under Moslem tyranny. Though weakened,