Great Powers and Orthodox Christendom, The

Great Powers and Orthodox Christendom, The

By Jack Fairey

Book Description

This compelling historical exploration reveals how spiritual communities became entangled in the complex web of 19th-century imperial politics. Jack Fairey examines a pivotal period when Orthodox Christian communities in the Middle East found themselves caught between competing empires, each seeking to expand their influence through religious patronage and protection.

The narrative unfolds across several decades, beginning in the 1820s and extending through the 1860s, as five major powers—Russia, Britain, France, Austria, and the Ottoman Empire—maneuvered for control over Orthodox Christian populations. Fairey demonstrates how the temporal authority wielded by Orthodox Church leaders became a catalyst for escalating diplomatic tensions that ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the Crimean War.

Readers interested in understanding how faith communities navigate political pressures will discover valuable insights into the intersection of spirituality and statecraft. The book illuminates how external powers attempted to reshape religious governance through secularization efforts, fundamentally altering the relationship between Orthodox Christian communities and their traditional ecclesiastical structures.

This scholarly work offers a unique perspective on how religious identity and institutional authority become contested territories in times of geopolitical upheaval. For those seeking to understand the historical forces that shaped modern Orthodox Christianity, Fairey provides a detailed examination of how spiritual communities adapt and respond when caught between competing secular authorities.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages)

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore Crimean War, 1853-1856
  • ✓ Explore RELIGION / Christianity / Orthodox
  • ✓ Explore HISTORY / Europe / General
  • ✓ Explore HISTORY / Modern / 19th Century
  • ✓ Explore Eastern question
  • ✓ Explore Christianity
  • ✓ Explore Crimean war, 1853-1856
  • ✓ Explore Politics and government

Topics Covered

Crimean War, 1853-1856 RELIGION / Christianity / Orthodox HISTORY / Europe / General HISTORY / Modern / 19th Century Eastern question Christianity Crimean war, 1853-1856 Politics and government RELIGION / Theology Europe, politics and government, 1848-1871 HISTORY / Middle East / Turkey & Ottoman Empire Orthodox eastern church, history

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