A New Emperor Rises
Constantine XI, Emperor of the Romans, Lord Protector of Sicily and Bulgaria, Defender of the Faith, was noted for two things, his lineage and his foreign policy. He was the direct grandson of Constantine IX, the first Emperor of the Angora Dynasty, which had brought the Roman Empire back to the true faith officially, though by now it was public knowledge of the true identity of his predecessor, Constantine XIII, who was a member of a secret Orthodox order which went on to become the central core of the restored Church of Constantinople. The close relationship between the Church of Constantinople and the new Emperor did not die with the rise of the Angoran dynasty, and with the rise of the Angoran dynasty, it is generally believed to have begun a generally increased amount of influence and cooperation between the Imperial administration and the Patriarchate. However, the Emperor was also known for his stances during the outbreak of the Zengid Crusade, which also happened to be the first crusade not focused against the Roman Empire. Constantine XI believed the Roman Empire to be friends with its Christian brothers in the west, though he refused to submit his Empire to the words of the Pope and join the Crusade. However, the Emperor could not live forever, and tragically he would die in the June of 970 AD, much to the mourning of the people of Constantinople. And with the death of the Emperor, so would the Empire’s neutrality also die.
The Emperors son would assume the throne, being crowned Emperor Heraclius II two days following his father’s death. However, he was nothing like his father. Though his father believed in tolerance of both the Muslim and Catholic, preferring to focus his efforts on converting the Hellenist at home, Heraclius was not faced with these circumstances. His father’s efforts had been widely successful, and the followers of Hellenism represented a tiny minority in the Empire. Heraclius always had dreams of conquest as a boy, and as a youth, he wished to join in the Tagmata, which his father had created. However, he was not permitted to join, as he was the heir to the Empire. Instead, he got involved in a religious movement which believed the Orthodox Church had a right and duty to actively oppose the Roman Church, and should eventually reclaim the city of Rome in the name of god and the Roman Empire.
When Heraclius became the Emperor, this teaching had become his solid belief. Thus he summoned the King of Armenia and the Duke of Taman, along with his vassal Kings, to meet with him in Constantinople, and they discussed what they should do. It quickly became obvious to Heraclius that his allies supported him, and all that mattered was how they would conduct this endeavor. It was the unanimous consensus among the rulers that now was the opportune moment to strike the Heretics of Rome. However, there were also other reasons that the “Alliance of the Orthodox Nations” would begin this crusade of their own.
To: The World
From: The Roman Empire
CC: All Christians
It is with great distinction that today we announce the declaration of a holy war against the Papal State and the Holy Roman Empire by the Roman Empire and it’s vassals of Sicily and Bulgaria, the Kingdom of Armenia, and the Duchy of Taman. We fight now for ourselves, but for the name of Christ, that the heretic Pope who twists Christ’s holy message for his own personal interests be defeated. We also shall liberate the city of Rome from the heretics, and reclaim the Imperial territory of the Roman Empire, including but not limited to: Crete and the Ionian Islands. It is our hope that when our troops, blessed by God, are successful in this endeavor, that peace shall return and a path be opened for the Catholic church to seek forgiveness for its transgressions and rejoin in communion with its brothers in the East.
To: All Orthodox Christians
From: Emperor Heraclius II on behalf of the Orthodox Church
Our motives are not for personal gain, but rather sacrifice. We shall sacrifice ourselves, just as Jesus sacrificed himself, so we may once again see a day when all Christians are united under god. However, today is not that day. The Pope, a heretic, has led many of Christ’s followers astray, and we must take it upon ourselves to defeat this mere man who believes himself God, so that his followers may one day see the light and enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
