Czarist Orthodox Russia and Shia Iraq were military rivals - what hcrappy history books are you reading? The Russians sent several conquering expeditions into Iran and took Azerbaijian from them among other conquests.
Well ... clearly I need more schooling on the history.
You don't think the guides at the Kremlin give you false information about the exquisite -- I mean BREATHTAKINGLY exquisite -- armor (full body for rider AND horse) and other gifts to the Tsars from the Persians, do you?
It was just an eye-opener, that's all. As was playing prairie-dog on the Metro and taking in the immense variety of Russian faces.
If you've got a direction in which I should head for more info, I'd be grateful.
I truly hope you understand that I've NO enmity whatsoever for Orthodox or for Russians (quite the contrary, actually) but I simply do not trust the Moscow hierarchy anymore than I trust AmChurch or most of the Vatican bureaucrats.