On Monday, October 14, the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, Holy Protection Skete in Buena, NJ celebrated its patronal feast day. The day was marked by a pilgrimage to the holy habitation by Orthodox Christians from neighboring states. The festal Divine Liturgy was held under the aegis of the "Circumglobal" Icon of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, containing within it a piece of the Omophorion of the Mother of God.

Archpriest Serge Lukianov (dean of New Jersey) led the divine services, co-served by Archpriests Luka Novakovic (rector of St. Michael Church in Philadelphia, PA), Zoran Radovic (rector of St. George Serbian Church in Elizabeth, NJ), and Milorad Orlic (rector of St. Nicholas Serbian Church in Elkins Park, PA), Abbot Tikhon (Gayfudinov; skete rector and assistant to the First Hierarch of ROCOR), Priest Gregory Winsky (cleric of Holy Trinity Church in Baltimore, MD), and Deacons Dimitri Krenitsky (skete cleric) and Michael Ardan (cleric of St. Michael Church in Philadelphia).

Singing at Liturgy was the mixed choir of St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ, under the direction of conductor Alexandra Lukianov.

The church was filled with worshippers. The majority of those present communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of the service, a procession was held through around the church and cemetery on the skete grounds, during which icons of the Savior and Most Holy Theotokos installed on the façade of the belfry were blessed.

Congratulating the rector and faithful with the feast, Fr. Serge called upon the parishioners and pilgrims to continue supporting the adorning the skete, and wished the rector God’s aid.

In reply, Fr. Tikhon said:

"We, as Orthodox Christians – both monastics and those living in the world – know that there is no greater labor than the labor of prayer. And we, standing under the eaves of this small and cozy church, are united in a single obedience: prayer for our country, for our families, and for the whole world. This is the labor of labors. I also welcome all those who make haste to aid us both by kind words and good deeds.

"This is now the fifth year that we have been laboring here, restoring the traditions of this place, and the Mother of God heads both the prayers and words of thanks of the abbot to the people who surround me and bring joy by their cheerful dispositions. I welcome all those who labor alongside me, adorning the church with flowers, chopping down old trees and tidying up the monastery grounds."

Fr. Tikhon reminded those present that he began the process of restoring the skete and church by himself, and expressed his joy that, since that time, a great number of people had come to the skete to pray and work.

The clergy and faithful then gathered for a festal luncheon, prepared with love by parishioners of the skete, during which their heartfelt interaction continued.