SIN
The word ‘Sin’ means, ‘to miss the mark' as in Archery. In Archery, ‘the mark’ is the Bullseye in the center of the target.
For an Orthodox Christian, ‘the mark' is to regain our lost likeness to God.
It's one thing to aim for the Bullseye and miss and another thing to be aiming at the wrong target, and another thing altogether to shoot one's arrows blindly at nothing at all, (which is unfortunately the case with most of us!)
We were originally created in the Image and after the likeness of God, created to be like God in ways that we can hardly even imagine anymore. Although the Image of God is indelibly stamped upon our soul like some sort of primordial blueprint, it is precisely the likeness of God that we have inherited the loss of.
It is the loss of our original likeness to God that has been the source of all our troubles, both personally and throughout the long, difficult history of Mankind and, as such, ought to be the ‘one thing needful’ occupying our attention.
IN THE IMAGE AND AFTER THE LIKENESS OF GOD
We were created “in the image and after the likeness of God” (Genesis 1:26)
The fervent desire to regain our lost likeness to God is both, what it takes to become an Orthodox Christian and constitutes the aim of the Christian life.
As Orthodox Christians, we begin by confessing that Jesus Christ is our Lord, God and Savior who became Incarnate for our sake, dwelt among us, was crucified, died and rose again on the third day, ascended into Heaven and sent down the All Holy Spirit for the Salvation of our souls. And that He will come again to judge both the living and the dead.
From that foundation and by making use of everything that the Church has preserved, handed down and makes available to us, we can go on from there, from Glory to Glory, and become partakers of the Divine Nature.
May the Good Lord Bless, Help, Save and Protect each and every one of us in the New Year!