The Slavs
The Slavic peoples lived in close contact with the Byzantines. This constant interaction had a strong influence on the Slavs. By A.D. 1453 when the Byzantine Empire was conquered and destroyed, the Slavs shared many aspects of their culture, including their language, religion, government styles, and many of their traditions.
With the Byzantines now gone, the Slavs became the guardians of the Eastern Orthodox faith. These religious practices would be handed down from generation to generation until the present day.
