Religious Identity and Cultural Politics of the Great Powers in the Cretan State (1898-1913)

Abstract

This paper analyses the cultural policies implemented by the Russians in the Rethymno region of Crete during the Cretan Autonomy period and the subsequent tensions that arose with the Italians. Furthermore, it examines how the Russians employed their Eastern Orthodox faith, which was shared by the Christian Cretans, to gain support and advance their agenda in contrast to the Italian Catholics or the Protestant British. In this context, the modernization works conducted by the Russians are surveyed along with the transfer of ecclesiastical items from Russia to be donated or sold to churches in the Rethymno area.