Russia became closely linked with the Byzantine Empire through: Trade, a shared religion and the missionary efforts of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
What is Byzantine Empire?
The Byzantine Empire, it is also referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was the continuation of the Roman Empire in its eastern provinces during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, when its capital city was Constantinople.
It survived the fragmentation and fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD and continued to exist for an additional thousand years until the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453.
During most of its existence, the empire remained the most powerful economic, cultural, and military force in Europe.
The terms "Byzantine Empire" and "Eastern Roman Empire" both were coined after the end of the realm, its citizens continued to refer to their empire simply as the Roman Empire, and to themselves as Romans a term which Greeks continued to use for themselves into Ottoman times.
Although, the Roman state continued and its traditions were maintained, modern historians distinguish Byzantium from its earlier incarnation because it was centered on Constantinople, oriented towards Greek rather than Latin culture, and characterized by Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Who was Saints Cyril?
Saints Cyril of Alexandria was the Patriarch of Alexandria from 412 to 444. He was enthroned when the city was at the height of its influence and power within the Roman Empire.
Cyril wrote extensively and was a leading antagonist in the Christological controversies of the late-4th and 5th centuries.
Cyril was a central figure in the Council of Ephesus in 431, which led to the deposition of Nestorius as Patriarch of Constantinople.
Cyril is counted among the Church Fathers and also as a Doctor of the Church, and his reputation within the Christian world has resulted in his titles Pillar of Faith and Seal of all the Fathers.
Hence option D is correct.
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