On Saturday January 2, the Synthema (goal) of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society for 2021 was unveiled as “Christ has made us free” (“Χριστός ἡμᾶς ἠλευθέρωσεν”). This was presented by multiple speakers on the day due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place at that time.

The synthema is taken from Galatians 5:1, and it invites us to reflect on what it really means to be free as Orthodox Christians living in the modern world. We can question whether there are things to which we are overly attached, and which harm our spiritual struggle. The synthema also invites us to reflect on the history of the Orthodox faith in Greece as 2021 it the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence, and freedom to practice our Orthodox faith was one of the key motivators for seeking independence.