Is there such a thing as an Eastern Orthodox civilization?

[TheForeigner]

So based on Samuel Huntington's Foreign Affairs 1993 article and his book of the same name, it appears there is no unitary European civilization, but a Western civilization(which apparently includes even most of the Phillipines), a Latin American civilization and an Eastern Orthodox Eurasian civilization which includes all Orthodox countries of Balkans, ex-USSR(including even non-Orthodox Christian Armenia and Muslim Kazakhstan!). See map below:



So, is there really such a civilization of Eastern Christianity and including all countries and does the map make sense to you? Samuel Huntington was a Harvard professor and political scientist. Remember that even Bismarck is famous for saying "Europe is just a geographical expression" and " I would not waste the bones of one Pomerenian grenadier on the Balkans".

[kingmob]

Of course, there is.

Its capital used to be Constantinople, now it's a more shaky matter.

Russia believes the capital is/needs to be Moscow as "Third Rome".


Relevant video:

Spoiler!

[TheForeigner]

Do you think Christian Arabs in the Middle East are also part of this civilization, as even they were once part of Byzantine Empire? If Lebanon's borders were drawn differently in early 20s then it would have had large majority of Eastern Christians.

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

Of course, there is.

Its capital used to be Constantinople, now it's a more shaky matter.

Russia believes the capital is/needs to be Moscow as "Third Rome".

It is amazing that after 500 years these pseudo-intellectual Russian nationalists still use the ideas of Philotheus of Pskov and believe that they fit into the 21st century. The Third Rome...and the funny thing is that there are still other Orthodox believers who go along with (not trying to imply that you are one of them), as far as I know a few Greeks who sympathize with this view believe in a supposed messianic mission of Russia to liberate Constantinople. In reality Russia barely has relations with Greece apart from selling some fossil fuels and maintains excellent close relations with Turkey, builds several nuclear plants there, sells them arms, boosts the tourism sector, etc.

[Your Old Comrade]

It is amazing that after 500 years these pseudo-intellectual Russian nationalists still use the ideas of Philotheus of Pskov and believe that they fit into the 21st century. The Third Rome...and the funny thing is that there are still other Orthodox believers who go along with (not trying to imply that you are one of them), as far as I know a few Greeks who sympathize with this view believe in a supposed messianic mission of Russia to liberate Constantinople. In reality Russia barely has relations with Greece apart from selling some fossil fuels and maintains excellent close relations with Turkey, builds several nuclear plants there, sells them arms, boosts the tourism sector, etc.

Muscovy's arrogance and imperialism at its finest. An erstwhile backwater that paid tribute to the Mongols believes itself to be the Third Rome because its rulers, once nothing more than the Mongols henchmen, say so for the above reasons. Characteristically opportunistic. Russia's true roots lie in Kyiv and in the once free and proud Republic of Novgorod. The whole system of rapacious elites has been copied from the Mongol playbook and that of an out of touch clergy and managerial class only answerable to the capo di tutti capi. (whether he calls himself Czar, General Secretary of the Communist Party or President (for life) with his class of rapacious underlings (boyars, noblemen, party bosses, oligarchs or local gangsters): this comes from the Byzantines. They took the worst ideas from both civilisations.

That while the ideas that could have led what is now Russia down the same path as the West took (which were found in Novgorod) were snuffed out. Snuffed out by the Mongols - and later on the rightfully named Ivan the Terrible. The last hope died in October 1917.

There is only one proper son of the Rus - and that's Ukraine.

[Duarte]

It's impossible to get a good cannoli in an an Eastern Orthodox country

[kingmob]

Do you think Christian Arabs in the Middle East are also part of this civilization, as even they were once part of Byzantine Empire? If Lebanon's borders were drawn differently in early 20s then it would have had large majority of Eastern Christians.

Sure, of course they are. We have historical, cultural, genetic and more importantly religious ties with the Christians of the Levant (see Antioch), and Africa (see Alexandrea), etc.

One of the greatest Emperors we had was Syrian/Isaurian (Leon), etc.

Good people.

[kingmob]

this comes from the Byzantines. They took the worst ideas from both civilisations.

I disagree with this take. I believe that Hellenism (as expressed by the Byzantines) can only function and flourish under a theocratic regime.

Western style Enlightenment type "democracy" is a failed project, especially for Greece.

[Your Old Comrade]

I disagree with this take. I believe that Hellenism (as expressed by the Byzantines) can only function and flourish under a theocratic regime.

Western style Enlightenment type "democracy" is a failed project, especially for Greece.

You were the ones who invented the original principle. Worked pretty bloody well for Athens.

[kingmob]

It's impossible to get a good cannoli in an an Eastern Orthodox country

Maybe not cannoli, but baklava makes up for it (or lack thereof).