Eastern Orthodoxy and European Unioun;A Clash of Norms (An Orthodox Approach)

Abstract: Religion is a subject of controversial importance in the field of international relations. Even though Europe has Christian roots, and European Union concept was based on Christian Democracy, the genuine Christian values are not of great importance for the EU integration. The aim of this study is to examine which are the historical and political factors that provoked the Christian dogma‟s transformation and led to a Europe shaped by modern religious features. Orthodoxy‟s values are different from the ones of EU, in some aspects the two doctrines do not correspond to each other, and the differences conduct to a clash of norms. Eastern Orthodox Church is still firm in promoting the true Christian moral values and Eastern Orthodoxy is the only remained part of the Christian dogma that did not degenerated from the original tradition. The study explains that Christianity underwent an immense transformation under the history, and its latest form of pluralistic churches dominated by Protestant values, is the shape that fits better the EU values.