Welcome!

Welcome to www.holyskete.com website, where we plan to share  information, news, and pictures of the Hermitage of The Holy Protection.  The Hermitage of The Holy Protection (Skete) is under the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (Slavic Vicariate), by the blessing of His Eminence Elpidophoros, Archbishop of  America.

Our Skete was founded by Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral)  and Abbot Tikhon (Gayfudinov) in 2015 on the site of a former abandoned, fallen into disrepair, Orthodox parish, which was formed originally in 1953. Our beloved Metropolitan Hilarion passed away in 2022, and we are dedicated to keeping his loving memory alive with us. In 2023, a monument in the memory of Metropolitan Hilarion was unveiled in The Hermitage. 

The Skete is located in the Pinewoods of South New Jersey, in an area called New Kuban, settled by Russian and Ukrainian emigrants in the 1950’s. From the moment of the establishment of the church community over 75 years ago, the clergy and the faithful established a Christian cemetery by the church. The cemetery is located in a beautiful, quiet wooded area, and is cared  by the residents of The Hermitage. It is significant that the price of the graves is affordable and is within the means with all people. 

Thank you all donors and supporters of The Hermitage of The Holy Protection. We could not exist without your generous donations and support.  If you wish to help The Skete, please send your donations directly to us through this website. Thank you and God bless you for your kindness!

Abbot Tikhon