[Siena Dreaming]

The Greek fathers were completely opposed to St. Augustine’s excessive rejection of free-will. The Western Church suffered from an excessive reliance on St. Augustine

Which may be why the Orthodox church has been overrun by Islam and atheism in so many areas.

Relying on the power of God for salvation is vital in maintaining a strong church. When one relies over-much on one's own strength to achieve salvation, one is easily destroyed by other faiths which purport that same theology.

[Cronos]

Which may be why the Orthodox church has been overrun by Islam and atheism in so many areas.

Those were external attacks SD. Islam overran the east. Our Orthodox brethren survived centuries under Islamic rule.

atheism too was external in many ways. It did not arise out of the Orthodox Church