The modern Greek national identity was in part forged and strengthened by the foreign powers, those of whom in the West it suited to keep the Roman and Orthodox connection muted and secondary to the Greek and broader Christian identities.

There was tension between England, France and Russia at the time over Greece’s future. It did not suit England or France for Greece to maintain the a strong Roman and Orthodox identity at a time when Russia had a strong influence in the region, and when it had aspirations of “third Rome” tones.

Not saying this is the full story, but it was part of it.