The fall of Constantinople: The Greatest tragedy of the 2nd Millineium

 The fall of Constantinople: The Greatest tragedy of the 2nd Millineium

First, debt was universal (as it is with us today); secondly, taxes were very heavy; thirdly, a large proportion of the population were slaves (as it is with us today); fourthly, both law and theology, that is, both social practice and religious rules had become more complex than the masses could follow. *

A new reforming enthusiasm invading the Empire could take advantage of all these four weaknesses: 

it could promise the indebted farmer, 

the indebted municipal authority, 

the wiping out of their debts; 

it could promise the heavily burdened small taxpayer relief from his burden; 

it could promise freedom to the slave and 

it could promise a simple-a far too simple-new set of rules for Society and 

a new set of practices in religion. 

It was this forth appeal, the appeal to simplification, especially to simplification of religion and morals, which had the greatest force. 

It worked in Syria and Egypt at that moment just as it worked nine centuries later in the West during the Protestant Reformation and we have Not Yet reconciled with Holy Church! You have seen the news for today and the past several years. We must all repent and reconcile with Holy Church that is the only way forward.