From the years of the Byzantine Empire (330-1453 A.D.), Greek land has been indissolubly linked to the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church, which played a significant role during the Turkish Occupation Period in maintaining the language and identity of the Greeks, while the clergy played an active role during the Greek War of Independence (1821-1830) in throwing off Ottoman yoke and creating the New Hellenic State. Orthodox Churches and Monasteries were always important convocations of social cohesion and references. The plethora of churches and monasteries constitute actual architectural monuments, while the atmosphere they encompass gives the visitor a sense of devoutness.
source: http://www.visitgreece.gr/portal/site/eot/
