Following the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the Ecumenical Patriarchate came under Ottoman rule, with the Patriarch of Constantinople serving as the religious leader for Orthodox Christians within the Ottoman millet system. This arrangement allowed for a degree of religious autonomy while also integrating the Orthodox Church into the Ottoman administrative framework. The relationship significantly influenced the religious and cultural landscape of Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

Under Ottoman rule, the Ecumenical Patriarchate preserved Byzantine hymnody and theological poetry, influencing poets like George of Nicomedia. This preservation enriched the Greek Orthodox tradition, fostering a unique blend of faith and artistry in poetry, which became a means of cultural resistance and expression during a time of political upheaval.