Byzantium still existed, it was just under Ottoman domination, and relatively speaking of course, the Ottomans were relatively more tolerant than Christians tha

Byzantium still existed, it was just under Ottoman domination, and relatively speaking of course, the Ottomans were relatively more tolerant than Christians than other Muslim empires, and the heritage of Byzantium was transferred to Russia, the connections with the West were still strong. This may just come down to it depending on which history books you read. Fun fact: The Patriarchate of Constantinople still exists today!