The annual “Blessing of the Waters” tradition takes place in mid September along the shores of the Asbury Park boardwalk. Members of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese from throughout the region attend church services that take place at the Paramount Theater and Convention center. Led by Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey, a wooden cross is thrown into the sea which is retrieves and returned by a lucky child. The child is blessed with good fortune for the year. Image courtesy of Eleftherios Kostans.