“Byzantium [New Rome] lasted for so many centuries because the life of its citizens was Christ-centered and ecclesiastical and this was something which the imperial authorities recognized and adopted, though not entirely. With the passage of time, however, estrangement began to have an effect on people and strong faith in God gave way to strong faith in the earth and flesh. From a life centered on Christ, we became focused completely on humanism, which was in large measure a product of the Western world.”
(Article in pemptousia.com)