Many churchgoing Orthodox Christians are oblivious to the canonical disarray and infighting between churches that are, in many ways, a direct result of the historical interplay between Church and empire. The faithful are, understandably, happy to get to a functioning parish with a good priest on the weekend. However, for those who have serious interest in church life and history, that is to say, an interest in the Church as both a historical and spiritual institution, an objective assessment of Orthodox Christianity today is a challenge and an exercise in patient resolve. Keeping up with current events lead to moments of incredulity and frustration, and even at times to despair.