![]() ![]() ![]() The Greek and Orthodox tradition was the result of this encounter and Byzantium passed it on, in a peaceful manner, to neighbouring peoples. But throughout the duration of its life, it remained the state where the successful and creative encounter between Christianity and Hellenism occurred. After the capture by the crusaders in 1204 its lands and vigour were seriously curtailed. The Byzantine Empire, with its capital of Constantinople/New Rome, lasted 11 centuries. For this is the value of historic memory: to be a lesson for ever for younger and older generations.ġ) We must remember the fall in order to pay an enduring and great debt to the Byzantine state, Romania, as the texts of the time called it, the Christianized Roman polity of the Greek nation, as the recent Byzantinist Dionysios Zakynthinos has it. ![]() Today we honour those who fell during the siege and at the fall, we read the laments and the legends, we are moved, and taught. The Greek nation survived, but Constantinople and Ayia Sofia (The Church of Holy Wisdom) remain in foreign hands. When the cry “The City has fallen” rang out and the Reigning City, the City of Saints, Emperors and legends passed into the occupation of the Ottoman dynasty. Five hundred and sixty six years have gone by since that accursed day. ![]()
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