On Saturday, 2 January 2016, the men and ladies from the Greek Orthodox Christian Society and Orthodox Ladies Fellowship, the boys and girls from the youth fellowships (Ομάδες) and their families came together at an annual event to celebrate the new year and for the announcement of the new synthema (motto) for 2016.
The program for this special event began with prayer and with the singing of traditional carols for the new year. Dr John Psarommatis, President of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society (in Greek) and Mrs Kathryn Stavropoulos (in English), introduced the synthema 2016, which is, «ειρηνεύετε εν εαυτοίς και πάσι» (“be at peace with one another and with all”), and was taken from the Matins Service of Holy Monday.
Following the talks, Fr Loukas Kordonouris from the Parish of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, Earlwood, conducted the blessing service for the new year. The event was concluded with brief comments by the co-founders of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society, Professor Michael Anthony and Mr Phaedias Kyriakides, and with the cutting of the traditional Vasilopita.
