Parishioners from throughout the Metropolis of New Jersey attended the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy in the Great Auditorium of Ocean Grove, NJ, celebrated by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, Chancellor Archimandrite Christoforos Oikonomidis and clergy from the Metropolis.
Continuing the 75-year-old tradition of the Metropolis, following the service, the faithful gathered at the ocean for the Blessing of the Waters and the throwing of the Cross into the water. After Archbishop Elpidophoros threw the Crosses, GOYAns raced into the water to find them. Those who retrieved the 4 Crosses thrown are Arianna Boutsikaris (Junior Girl) from Saint Barbara Church in Toms River, Christina Skoulariotis (Senior Girl) from Saint Athanasios Church in Paramus, and Kosta Hantoulis (Junior Boy) and Chris Vlahos (Senior Boy) who are both from Saint George in Piscataway.
To read the Homily of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at the Κατάδυσις of the Precious Cross on the Sunday after the Exaltation click here.
Photos: GOA/D. Panagos, GOA/B. Newman
