” formerly Constantinople, was the capital of Christendom for 1,000 years”
How about “a’ capital of Christendom? Or “the largest, wealthiest city of Christendom”? Calling Constantinople “the” capital of Christendom certainly ignores Rome’s religious preeminence even during the period when the city itself had declined very badly in terms of wealth and population.
Nonetheless, it would indeed be nice to Make Constantinople Christian Again but I don’t know how realistic that is anytime soon given that the Muslim Turks are unlikely to be going anywhere anytime soon.
The author doesn't properly understand the meaning of the word "rivalry."
To "rival" means to "compete" or "vie" with - usually in a sporting or at least friendly context.
Regards,
The Turks expanded into Eastern Europe already in the 14th century (the battle of Kosovo was fought in 1389). The struggle between the Greeks (then calling themselves Romans) and the Turks goes back to the 11th century. The Seljuk Turk victory at Manzikert in 1071 led to the loss of most of Asia Minor to the Turks—the Byzantine emperor’s request that the pope encourage Western knights to go help the Byzantines fight the Turks led to the First Crusade.