Show r Into ic Icy y Ba Bay Bayto y I to Rescue Holy Relic According to the picturesque custom Of the Greek Orthodox church I 2 perS persons 8 mostly members of the Church of 8 St. St Nicholas at Cedar and West s streets marched to the Battery for the theT T ritual of ot the cross In Uon of as ns designated by the Greek i calendar While thousands filled the flattery Battery park and lined the sea wall t f for tor a n glimpse of the c esoteric ceremonies ceremonies cere cere- eight men acting for the t monies con con- nn and demonstrating Its Us willIngness willingness will will- to sacrifice plunged Into the bay and rescued a a golden figure of Christ on the cross The rhe ceremony an annual event Inthe In Inthe the Greek Greet church attracted such throngs that poll police e reserves from rn the tue MarIne Jarine division and th the Ol Old sl Slip p station station sta sta- tion called on firem firemen n from the fireboats fire fireboats fireboats boats tied up tip at the battery to help them establish lines Unes to hold the curious curious curi curl ous In check Hundreds were drawn fo to the scene by the long line of celebrants celebrants cele celo brants as they passed through the downtown streets and by the large band that accompanied It According to the lio Greek calendar Epiphany or twelfth night fell on a week day Members of the Church of St. St Nicholas applying for a permit to bold hold their ceremonies at the Battery were were told that because of heavy traffic In the bay It would be better l If It they could d do so so to h hold ld their celebration on Sunday This was done and nd the congregation gathered at the t e church w where er the line Una of march formed When the had gathered along the sea wall wail the Rev Dorothe s p pastor of the Chuch of St 81 Nicholas after ih the prayers pray prayers prayers pray pray- ers and the the ritual ritual of the service threw the wooden cross with I its s figure of Christ out Into the bay The eight men dived In after It and returned Itt it t to the priest Only waiting to put their clothing g on over wet bathing ng suits the they Joined the procession back to the church Ne New York Times |