The Culture of Eastern Orthodoxy: Byzantine Influences on Russia and Eurasia

In December of 2023, the Carmel Institute sponsored a class trip to Istanbul for a group of students from American and George Mason universities. It explored the legacy of Byzantium and Byzantine Orthodoxy in Eurasia.

Before departing the US, the students read Bettany Hughes' Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities as a general introduction to the history of the Byzantine Empire and Constantinople. Homer's legendary Iliad was an optional reading. The class combined discussions of the books with visits to churches, museums, mosques, art galleries, and archaeological sites in Istanbul and beyond. In the process, students explored the history of the Byzantine Empire, the evolution of Eastern Orthodoxy, and interconfessional relations throughout medieval and modern history. Dr. Onur İşçi of Kadyr Has University in Istanbul also joined the group on select museum visits, guided some of the tours, participated in discussions, and gladly answered many questions while touring Istanbul.