September 16th 2012. Asbury Park, N.J. The 65 Annual Blessing of the Waters took place last week on the shores of Asbury Park New Jersey. Some 500 people came out for church service held on the famed board walk. Four groups of boys and girls ranging from ages 7th to 12th grade are then given the opportunity to retrieve the cross thrown in to the Atlantic ocean by Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey. Marissa Kostides of the host church, St. George, spoke with us about the historic event and the history of giving out Basil at the church service.
The annual event brings together the Greek communities of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.