61st Anniversary Holy Cross Celebration in New Jersey

Posted on Monday, October 06 @ 00:52:44 EDT by greek_news

Ausbury Park, NJ.- The 61st Anniversary of the Holy Cross Celebration, in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey, was held at the Paramount Theater in Asbury Park, New Jersey, with tremendous success on Sunday, September 21, 2008. This yearʼs event which attracted 3000 Greek Orthodox Faithful and visitors, according to the Asbury Park Press (http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage) from throughout the State of New Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia area, was enjoyed by all in attendance. His Eminence, Metropolitan EVANGELOS of New Jersey presided over the festivities that included, celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, the Elevation of the Holy Cross, the Blessing of the Waters and the subsequent Diving for the Cross by 70 Orthodox youngsters.

Assisting His Eminence at the Divine Liturgy were Clergy from throughout the State of New Jersey. The V. Rev. Archimandrite Nektarios Cottros, Proistamenos of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA, and the Rev. Economos Andrew Eugenis, Proistamenos of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Asbury Park, NJ, served as Ecclesiarchs. The Paramount Theater, which was standing room only, resonated with the sounds of Byzantine Music, chanted by the Byzantine Choir of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey; this year directed by Mr. Nicholas Chingas, Protopsaltis of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Trenton, NJ. Mrs. Kay Kahayas, Choir Director of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Piscataway, NJ, directed the Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians Choir that also melodiously chanted the responses during the Divine Liturgy.

Present at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and the dayʼs Celebration were the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, His Excellency, Ioannis Valinakis, the new Consul General of Greece, Her Excellency, Aglaia Balta; and the Consul General of Cyprus, His Excellency Andreas Panayiotou.

Metropolitan Evangelos warmly welcomed the distinguished guests, presenting each of the distinguished guests with a beautiful bouquet of roses, expressing his gratitude, personally, and on behalf of the entire Holy Metropolis of New Jersey, for their presence at this yearʼs celebration.

In his remarks, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, His Excellency Valinakis expressed his great joy at being able to attend this yearʼs event. He also remarked that it was a special occasion for him personally, as this was the second year in a row that he was able to attend the celebration of the Holy Cross in Asbury Park. His Excellency spoke about the life-long and beautiful relationship, between the Greek-American community here in the United States of America, and the Mother country of Greece. He encouraged all in attendance to continue supporting their Church and the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey as well as, exhorting them to continue teaching the younger generations the values of the Hellenic culture, that has given so much to not only Greece, but the same Hellenic culture, which has given so much to the entire world.

His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos then conducted a Trisagion Service for the late Patriarch Athenagoras placing a beautiful wreath at the statue erected by the City of Asbury Park in his honor, on the Boardwalk.

Following the Agiasmos Service that was held by the waterfront under perfect weather conditions, His Eminence approached the waves, and threw the Cross into the ocean four times, each time being retrieved by members of the Greek Orthodox Youth Association, those who retrieved the Cross, have a special blessing throughout the coming year. This yearʼs diver who retrieved the Cross were: Junior Girl: Christina Kolovos from Ascension Greek Orthodox Church, Fairview, NJ; Junior Boy: Nicholas Hilaris from St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Cathedral, in Tenafly, NJ; Senior Girl: Demetra Michailides from St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Trenton, NJ; Senior Boy: Joseph Abadiotakis, from St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Asbury Park, NJ.

The dayʼs festivities concluded with a BBQ outside and the following dance groups performed from Churches throughout the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey: St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Piscataway, NJ; St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Perth Amboy, NJ; St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, Paramus, NJ; and St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Trenton, NJ.

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