Multiple Faiths Gather For OC's Blessing Of Waves
HUNTINGTON BEACH (AP) — Hundreds of Californians joined surfing priests and religious leaders from multiple faiths to honor the ocean and protest coastal pollution.
The third annual Blessing of the Waves was held Sunday in Orange County's Huntington Beach to recognize the spiritual significance of the water and coastline.
The event is organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange and features a floating interfaith prayer circle, a Christian rock band called The Wedge, and priests and a rabbi on surfboards.
Representatives from the Catholic, Jewish, Mormon, Islamic and Zoroastrian faiths were present, as well as Tongan and Samoan choirs.
Diocese spokesman Ryan Lilyengren estimates the event drew about 3,000 participants, more than double the number last year.
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