These Ottoman Turks were going to accomplish what Russian Princes from the time of Rurik and Oleg had longed and failed to do.
They were going to break the power of the old empire in the East and make the coveted city on the Bosphorus their own.

In 1453, the successor of Othman was in Constantinople.
The Pope, always hoping for a reconciliation, and always striving for the headship of a united Christendom, had in 1439 made fresh overtures to the Greek Church.

The Emperor at Constantinople, three of the Patriarchs, and seventeen of the Metropolitans--including the one at Moscow--at last signed the Act of Union.

But when the astonished Russians heard the prayer for the Pope, and saw the Latin cross upon their altars, their indignation knew no bounds.

The Grand Prince Vasili so overwhelmed the Metropolitan with insults that he could not remain in Moscow, and the Union was abandoned.