The Metropolis of New Jersey Celebrates the Annual Blessing of the Waters and Κατάδυσις (Diving of the Cross) in Ocean Township

Ocean Township, NJ — September 28, 2025 — The Metropolis of New Jersey came together in faith and fellowship for the annual Blessing of the Waters and Κατάδυσις (Diving of the Cross), a cherished observance hosted by the Community of St. George in Ocean Township. This annual event, held near the feast of the Elevation of the Precious Cross, brought together clergy, youth, and families from parishes across the state to celebrate a tradition that has endured for nearly eight decades.

The morning began with the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, with the participation of clergy, altar servers, and youth from throughout the Metropolis. The church was filled with young voices and reverent hearts as the faithful gathered to worship and reflect on the meaning of the Cross in their lives.

In his sermon, Metropolitan Apostolos offered a heartfelt message to the GOYANs, urging them to embrace the Cross as a constant source of strength, comfort, and guidance. He explained that the Cross is not simply a symbol, but a living reminder of Christ’s victory over death and His boundless love for humanity. He encouraged the youth to make the sign of the Cross throughout their day, in moments of challenge, gratitude, or uncertainty, as a way of inviting God’s presence into their lives.

“Every time you cross yourselves,” he reminded them, “you proclaim your faith in the One who conquered death and opened the way to eternal life.” He described the Cross as a “bridge from earth to heaven,” built through Christ’s voluntary sacrifice, a symbol that both protects and empowers believers. The Metropolitan emphasized that even the forces of darkness tremble before the Cross, for it represents freedom from fear and the promise of everlasting life through Christ.

Following the Liturgy, His Eminence, clergy, GOYANs, and their families made their way to Deal Beach, where the bright autumn sun and clear waters provided a radiant setting for the Blessing of the Waters and Cross Diving Ceremony. Metropolitan Apostolos led the Agiasmos (Blessing of the Waters) service, sanctifying the waves of the Atlantic before the youth eagerly dashed into the surf to retrieve the Cross.

This year’s winners were:

• Junior Girls Division: Alessandra Kamnitis of St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church, Flemington, NJ
• Junior Boys Division: Leo Zervoudis of St. John the Theologian Cathedral, Tenafly, NJ
• Senior Girls Division: Christina Xenakis of Kimisis tis Theotokou, Holmdel, NJ
• Senior Boys Division: Vasilios Sakkos of Saints Nicholas, Constantine, and Helen, Roseland, NJ

The celebration continued at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, where an award ceremony and community barbecue followed. Families and parishioners shared fellowship and joy, reflecting the unity and vitality of the Metropolis’s youth ministry.

As the sun set on this memorable day, the words of Metropolitan Apostolos resonated in the hearts of all present a reminder that the Cross remains the light and strength of every Orthodox Christian life. For the young participants, the event was not only a competition but a spiritual encounter, one that renewed their faith and deepened their connection to the Church’s living traditions.

Now in its 78th year, the annual Cross Diving stands as a testament to enduring faith, the guidance of the Church, and the unbroken bond between generations, from the waves of Deal Beach to the hearts of the faithful across New Jersey.