The Arta priests’ stance of solidarity for the migrants in their region has had an effect on the entire country after all. Many Greeks rushed to offer some comfort to the Afghan and Pakistani migrants working in western Greece. Even the sluggish state was mobilized into contributing.

What this has proved is that the state is not a cure-all. Social problems demand social awareness and social movements.

The positive example set by the priests and all those other individuals who responded to the misery of a group of migrants, as published by Kathimerini, shows us that Greek society has not completely succumbed to the cynicism that television bombards it with every day. Society is resisting the onslaught in unexpected ways: It has shown that it can be moved by the plight of others, that it can stand by their side and help.

This reaction is a great message of hope in these fetid times.