The Archbishop's Proposal
Archbishop Demetrios of Thessalonica stood shocked as the declaration of war from the Prince of Moscow was read aloud in court. Breaking protocol, the Archbishop stood as soon as the letter was read, and addressed the messenger.
"Messenger of the Prince of Moscow," the Archbishop said, "Has the Prince gone mad? Has he no love of Christ? The Lithuanian Duke, though a pagan, is no enemy of the Church nor of the Rus. Has he not treated those subjects under his rule with respect? Does not the Church, within the Rus principalities under his rule, with decency and tolerance?"
Turning to address the Grand Duke of Lithuania, the Archbishop said,
"Let it be known, your Grace, that I shall do my utmost to secure peace between you and the Prince of Moscow. The Prince, who surely burns with anguish after his defeat but a few short months ago, thirsts for prestige, a desire to show that he is still powerful. And indeed, he is." Stroking his long beard, he continued. "The perfidy of the German knights is well known, even in the Roman Empire.. do not forget, that they once ruled great estates in Transylvania, and did launch many attacks on Roman subjects. However.. their impetus to attack will be much lessened, should your Grace convert to Christianity."
Taking a moment to smooth his vestments, and momentarily touching the ornate cross about his neck, he spoke some more. "It is said, your Grace, that you are, like King Agrippa, 'almost persuaded' to become a Christian. I applaud your Grace for seeing the light, and for studying the Bible, for truely, that is the mark of a virtuous pagan. However," the Archbishop looks around the court, trying to determine if there are any Romanist clergy in the room, "I must tell you the reasons why a conversion to, what you would call, 'Russian Christianity' is superior. First, the Bishopric of Rome is contested between two men, one Italian and one French. What fools these men are! What un-Christian examples these two set! The most bitter fighting, with rape, massacre, piracy, and other crimes too dreadful to mention, over a pastoral position? Your Grace, should you convert to Romanist Christianity, I fear that you would become a mere pawn in the game these two men play, your sweet acceptance of Christ blemished by worldly politics. Secondly, the Bishop of Rome, whoever he may be, demands that the church in each rulers land be subject and controlled by him. Time and again, the Kings of France, Germany, and England, quarrel with, imprison, and sometimes even murder the Bishop of Rome. This, your Grace, is unheard of among the eastern churches. For example, no Archbishop of Kiev has ever been imprisoned nor murdered by the Prince of Kiev."
Looking directly at the Grand Duke, and bowing, the Archbishop finished his preliminary arguments with, "The reasons go on and on, your Grace, and I have barely even begun to number them. However, I do recognize that you are a secular ruler, and although heavenly affairs are greater than any, you must safeguard your inheritance. Therefore, as personal representative of the Emperor, I am authorized to offer you this: Upon your conversion, I shall travel to Moscow, and persuade the Prince of Moscow to end his war against you, and focus on stemming the Muslim tide. Additionally, I will begun purchasing, with the Empire's money, numbers of mercenaries from Hungary, Tartary, and Russia, to fight the Germans on your behalf. Several battle-hardened soldiers, handpicked and experienced, shall also be sent from the Emperor's personal guard. And this, your Grace, is but a small token of the many blessings that your conversion will bring forth, not least the salvation of your immortal soul and the souls of all Liths."
