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5 In his view, Orthodoxy amplified the effects of Ottoman despotism: The so long and shameful slavery cannot of course correct us. It is a feature of slavery not to correct but further corrupt human soul. 6 In particular, Korais accused the higher Orthodox clergy of collaborating with Ottoman authorities and of adulterating the message of Christianity: The bishops treating Christianity as an instrument of tyranny resorted to prayers as magic spells. 1057/9781137301208 16 Instilling Religion in Greek and Turkish Nationalism Korais thought that education would break this conundrum.

The issue was addressed in the most official way in the first Revolutionary Constitution of the nascent Greek state. ”29 While this statement discriminated against the Muslim and Jewish residents of revolutionary Greece, it avoided a differentiation between Orthodox and members of other Christian denominations, despite the identification of the Rum millet with Orthodoxy. There were sizeable Catholic populations in some of the Aegean islands such as Syros, Tinos, and Naxos. This decision appeared expedient in view of the need to co-opt this population to the cause of independence as well as avoid antagonizing the Western powers and public opinion.

Religion and religious institutions such as the Ecumenical Patriarchate were considered key pillars and indispensable elements of the Ottoman ancien regime. ” The terms “Hellas” and “Hellenic” were originally used in classical and Hellenistic years to identify the territory and the common linguistic and cultural bonds of the ancient Greek world. ” As Christianity spread among Greek-speaking people, consolidated its demographic growth, and eventually gained official religion status, the same words acquired a heavily negative connotation, as they were linked with pre-Christian pagan past.