Relations between the Greek Orthodox Church and the Greek government are becoming increasingly strained following the acquittal of members of anti-authoritarian members by a Court and the governments slow response in condemning the activists. Fearing the relations with the Greek Orthodox Church could deteriorate even further, the government issued a belated statement condemning the actions of the 26. The government of SYRIZA was the only party that had failed to criticise the activists. The Single Misdemeanour Court of Thessaloniki acquitted 26 members of anti-authoritarian groups on the count of abusive behaviours during religious services, while it found those charged with contempt guilty sentencing them to a six-month suspended prison term. The 26 individuals had hurts into the Church of St. Gregory Palamas in Thessaloniki, interrupting the Sunday Liturgy. Despite the prosecutor’s proposal for the conviction of all the defendants on all counts, during the announcement of the verdict, the President of the Court ruled the accused had no intention of abusing religious worship. Meanwhile, the Holy Synod of the Greek Church released a carefully worded statement pointing out the Greek government had not yet condemned the incident, while thanking all parties that did condemn the attack. opposition party New Democracy (ND) criticised ruling SYRIZA for failing to condemn the interruption of the Church services. ‘Their (government’s) unacceptable silence is the resounding confirmation of the ideological-partisan tolerance for the raid of anti-authoritarian members during the Holy Liturgy at the Metropolis of Thessaloniki on Sunday’, the announcement underlined.