Mattituck Transfiguration Church Blesses Long Island Sound Waters

By Catherine Tsounis

The Blessing of the Long Island Sound’s Waters and Cross Diving was held by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration Church, Mattituck, New York on Sunday September 21^st. The event  took place  at Breakwater Beach, after church services. A community barbecue followed at the church grounds. The priest is Rev. Economos Father Andrew D. Cadieux, who was assisted by parish council member  Brian Vezeris. The cross diving and retrieval symbolize faith and courage of the divers. The Blessing of the Waters is a community event, unifying all in their faith.

Rev. Andrew in his Church service  explained Jesus said “Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me.” The service coincided with the nationwide memorial for the late Charlie Kirk, viewed by many as dying for his religious faith. Children ages 6 to 18  dived for the Cross. Adults participated in a ceremony for their category. All participants received an icon. The junior participants included: Constantine, Zoe and Leonidas Tsalikas and  Demetrios Cadieux. The adult’s category is the following: Catherine Vezeris ; Andrew Vezeris; Nicholas Cadieux and Raydgn Forger, the Cross retriever. This is an incomplete list. For further information. Cal the church office at 631-298-9652 or email [email protected].

This is the 4^th Blessing of the Waters Service, reinstated by Father Andrew in 2022. The Blessing of the waters began in January 1974. The Transfiguration Church was the only Greek Orthodox site on the East End of Long Island. Rev Timotheos Tenedios, was the first priest. Retrieving the cross were Teddy Panagopoulos and Steve Tsontakis. Through the years it continued with different priests until it was discontinued. Father Andrew’s ministry has attracted many young people back to the church, which are Greek American or have Greek roots. Youth determine a community’s survival. Father Andrew has accomplished a remarkable mission, bringing families together in the unity of a bilingual Greek/English service,

Paul Forger, a French Canadian from Father Andrew’s hometown of Toronto, is an active member of the Transfiguration Church. His son Raydyn (Pantelis) actively participated in cross diving, retrieving the cross this and last year. Paul and his  wife are raising their children in the Greek Orthodox faith. The dedication to preserving Greek Orthodox faith, culture, and language at the Transfiguration Church in Eastern Long Island gives hope that Hellenic heritage will remain a strong presence in this rural parish.