Archimandrite Gabriel, born Goderdzi Urgebadze, is one of the most renowned Orthodox monks in Georgia. He was born to Vasili and Barbara Urgebadze on 26 August 1929 in Tbilisi, Georgia. He was baptized as an infant in St. Martyr Barbara’s Church in the Navtlughi district by the former "Sister of Mercy," Tamar Begiashvili. The communist regime was fiercely violent during that time; religion was persecuted, churches were destroyed and closed, and innocent people were murdered and deported. Goderdzi was about two years old when his father, Vasil Urgebadze, was murdered under uncertain circumstances. After that, his family members called him Vasiko in honor of his father.

Vasiko was an extraordinary boy; from his childhood, he had been endowed with Divine Grace. He used to build small churches from pebbles and light matches inside them. Barbara, his mother (after the repose of Fr. Gabriel, his mother entered the Samtavro Convent as Nun Anna. She is buried next to her son), was afraid that someone might see her son’s actions, as it was not unlikely that someone could have spied on their family due to their defiance of communist ideology. In his youth, Vasiko behaved strangely; he often stopped playing with his friends and preferred to be alone in silence. However, he still engaged in an unusual activity; he would take a small stick in his hands and run off. Chirping birds would perch on it and follow him along the way, which surprised everyone. Vasiko was a gentle-hearted child. He did not allow traps to be set for mice; he caught them in a cage and later released them outside the yard. He started school at the age of six. Learning to read, write, and do arithmetic came easily to him, and he gained much admiration for his kindness. At the age of 7, he first heard the name of God, which had a profound impact on his mind and completely transformed his ordinary life. He soon gathered enough money to buy a Gospel, marking the beginning of his entirely new life. From that day until his death, Monk Gabriel was filled with a singular thought and devotion – to live only for Christ. He spent all his time reading his Gospel and showed no interest in anything else; he allocated minimal time to lessons to have more time for his Gospel. Before going to bed, he would enter his room and pray for an extended period in front of the icons. A few days before his death, Monk Gabriel recalled that period of his childhood:
- "I was sitting on the balcony of the second floor, lost in thought, when an inner voice dictated to me to look up at the sky. I stood up, approached the edge of the balcony, gazed upwards, and saw a large cross erected in the sky. At that time, I didn't know, but I now understand that it was the cross I had to bear out of love for God and my people." Another memory from the same period of his childhood is as follows: "While I was asleep at night, I suddenly awoke and saw a demon with a terrifying face in front of me. He was staring at me with rage. By God’s mercy, I wasn't frightened, but I became tense. However, I didn't take any action to drive him away; I simply looked at him in astonishment. He roared at me – 'You're fighting against me, are you?!' and he struck me with his fist."
When Barbara entered the room, she found her son unconscious. Yet, God had saved the life of His chosen one.

        Little Vasiko still derived some benefit from that incident, as Monk Gabriel attests in one of his recollections: "Upon witnessing the Demon, my faith in Christ grew stronger, and I declared – if the Demon exists, then God exists in even greater measure. Moreover, I came to appreciate the beauty of human beings."

         At the age of 12, God bestowed upon Vasiko divine power and revelations due to his genuine love and unwavering devotion.

         Nun Pelagia, the former hegumenia of the Gurjaani nunnery of St. Virgin Mary, who was of the same age as Monk Gabriel and his neighbor, recalls: "One summer day, my uncle came home and proclaimed loudly for all to hear – 'Glory to Christ, our Lord, it seems He preserves His chosen ones on the earth.' When asked, 'What happened? What has surprised you?' He responded by recounting the following remarkable tale: 'I was walking home along the old St. Barbara road. As I approached the ruined church of St. George, I noticed Goderdzi, Vasiko's son, diligently clearing the church of large boulders under the scorching sun. Engrossed in his work, he didn't notice me for a while. Witnessing this, I remained silent, but when he finally saw me, he greeted me warmly and said, 'Come, Uncle Mukha, and if you can, help me with this' – he gestured toward a sizable boulder. My uncle, known as Mukha (meaning 'oak') due to his strength and wrestling prowess, was actually named George. Mukha continued, 'I exerted all my strength, yet I couldn't budge the boulder. Then Vasiko uttered, 'In the name of Christ!, lifted the boulder, and added it to the other rocks he had gathered from the church.' Our family held religious beliefs, but due to the atheist regime, we refrained from attending church services and fasting. However, from that very day, my uncle embarked on a Christian life.

         During World War II, impoverished individuals who had no access to frontline information often sought out Vasiko to obtain news about their relatives. Despite being only 12 years old at the time, Father Gabriel responded to all visitors and preached, advising, "Turn to the church, remain steadfast in your faith in Christ, and safeguard the salvation of your souls." His prophetic words consistently proved true, and he earned great respect from the people. Vasiko's remarkable abilities and apparent clairvoyance worked to restore people's trust in the Church. However, young Vasiko didn’t accept praise and honor from others, displaying an unusual humility. He would place himself amidst garbage and proclaim loudly, "Always remember, Vasiko, that you are nothing but refuse, and never hold yourself in high regard." His family members were displeased with such behavior and even disciplined him, but people refrained from mocking or insulting him.

         It is worth mentioning another remarkable event in the yearly life of Monk Gabriel. During the Soviet purges and persecutions, people concealed icons in attics or other hidden places. As many individuals wavered in their faith and failed to show proper respect to these sacred objects, young Vasiko took it upon himself to address them. He would approach such people and say, "You have an icon in your house" (pointing precisely to its location). "You should either treat it with due reverence or give it to me. I will safeguard it. If you ever wish to reclaim it, come to me, and I will gladly return it." Some heeded his words and kept their icons, while others, lacking such intention, surrendered their icons to him. Everyone was astounded by the behavior of the young boy. Vasiko cherished these icons with a special love. He meticulously and attentively adorned the icons in his church and in the cell at the Samtavro Convent. These beautifully adorned icons now grace nearly all the walls and the ceiling, leaving an indelible impression on pilgrims and visitors. However, Vasiko's tranquil life was short-lived. His mother, Barbara, was a honest and hardworking woman. She possessed youthful beauty and married early at the age of 14. From her first marriage, she bore three children – Emma, Michael, and Goderdzi (Vasiko). Following a family tragedy involving her husband's death, the 22-year-old woman found herself in a helpless situation. Without anyone to rely on, she toiled tirelessly to support her family. Her second marriage brought forth a daughter – Julietta. Monk Gabriel encountered his first significant challenge at the age of 12. While his mother was not devoid of religious inclination, she did not approve of her son leading a religious life. Initially surprised by her son's fervent devotion to Christianity, she soon witnessed his faith taking root and growing steadfast. She fervently urged her son to abandon his chosen path. "Don't torment yourself! Live as ordinary people do! Be religious, but do not let your desires be solely fixed on the Gospel and religion!"

         Many years later, when monk Gabriel lay seriously ill and passed away a year later, his mother and sisters visited him. Tearful and distraught, Barbara implored her son: "What kind of life did you lead, Gabriel? Full of suffering and nothing else?! You never had a proper childhood. It would have been wiser to heed my advice and take better care of yourself. You were a man, weren't you?!" Seeing his mother weeping with tears in her eyes, Gabriel felt a sense of remorse, not for himself, but for his mother, who still couldn't comprehend his inner calling. She had been a witness to her son's hardships, and her tears were born from deep pain. After a brief silence, Father Gabriel responded in a gentle, soft voice, "I couldn't have led a different life." His resolve hadn't wavered since the age of 12. Upon facing another refusal from her son, Barbara, in anger, cast the Gospel into the toilet. Vasiko promptly retrieved it, held it to his chest, and cried out plaintively. This marked the final moment when Vasiko was compelled to make a life-defining decision. At midnight, Vasiko took his Gospel and left his home. The late autumn air chilled him as he walked day and night, eventually reaching the city of Mtskheta. His first stop was the Samtavro Convent, where Hegumenia Anusia (Kochlamazashvili) welcomed him with warmth, providing shelter and sustenance. However, she couldn't allow him to stay, as men were not permitted in the nunnery. She suggested he proceed to the Svetitskhoveli Monastery (Living Pillar). With heartfelt prayers before the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God of Samtavro, Vasiko sought a cell and the right to live in the monastery. After spending three days at Svetitskhoveli Monastery, a governmental decree mandated that underage individuals could not be lodged there for extended periods. Vasiko then journeyed to the Shio-Mghvime Monastery, where he found refuge for three days before being directed to the Zedazeni Monastery. Here, several elderly monks resided, and they cherished the young believer, providing him shelter near the monastery for several weeks. Due to heightened scrutiny from law enforcement, these monks arranged for Gabriel's transfer to the Bethany Monastery. Provided with detailed directions and some food, Gabriel reached the Bethany Monastery, where he was welcomed by two resident monks – Fr. George (later canonized as St. George-John Mkheidze) and Fr. John (later canonized as St. John Maisuradze). These monks became Gabriel's most cherished confessors. After his time at Bethany, little is known about his subsequent movements and whereabouts.

         For a period, Vasiko found refuge with a kind woman named Margo, who resided in Tbilisi and earned her livelihood through fortune-telling. Vasiko was saddened by the fact that such a benevolent woman was leading a misguided life and indulging in sinful activities. One day, Margo fell ill, and Vasiko comforted her, pledging that he would attend to the people who came seeking her services. True to his word, the pious child greeted those who came to the fortune-teller's abode, preaching love for God and emphasizing the importance of leading a Christian life. Endowed with the gift of prophecy, Vasiko engaged in discussions with visitors about potential future dangers and past sins they had forgotten. He encouraged them to confess their sins to a priest and partake in Holy Communion. People were astounded by his conduct. Margo, moved by Vasiko's influence, believed in him and discontinued her fortune-telling activities, embracing a Christian way of life. This transformation stirred considerable rumors in Tbilisi during those years. Meanwhile, Vasiko's mother persisted in searching for her son and eventually located him. Tearfully, she implored him, "Please come back home and live as you wish. I won't hinder your chosen path." Her heart was filled with joy upon reuniting with him. Vasiko heeded his mother's plea and returned home. From that point onward, Barbara's demeanor towards her son became less strict. Nevertheless, she repeatedly advised him to lead an ordinary existence and not to focus solely on his faith.

         Around once a month, Vasiko would make the journey to Bethany and offer assistance to the elderly monks, engaging in various tasks around the monastery. At the age of 16, he embarked on a pilgrimage to the Martkopi Monastery. During this journey, he encountered a revered monk named Fr. Aitala, whom Father Gabriel held in high esteem and would later recall with profound respect and affection, describing him as "a great monk gifted with clairvoyance."

         Another noteworthy incident from Father Gabriel's life during the same period deserves mention: At one point, the communist government decided to renovate a public park near the old Vera cemetery, where the remains of Georgian young soldiers who had died in the war for Georgia's independence in 1921 were interred. The area underwent cleaning using bulldozers, a harsh action that deeply affected Vasiko. He took this event to heart, collecting the scattered bones in sacks during the nights and secretly re-burying them in a more secure and respectful location.

In 1949, Vasiko was conscripted into the Soviet Army for military service. He was stationed in the Batumi border guard unit. Despite the strict military regimen, he managed to observe fasting and even secretly made his way to St. Nicholas Church to partake in the Holy Sacraments. Upon completing his mandatory military service, Vasiko returned home. However, his life took a challenging turn. He was summoned to a medical hospital, where he was interrogated about the visions he had experienced during his childhood – particularly the encounter with the evil spirit at the age of 12. After a few days, he was issued a certificate declaring him mentally ill, and he was prohibited from holding any employment. He was granted a disability pension of the II category, a grave violation of legal norms. Soviet authorities took these actions to ensure that an individual with his strong beliefs did not pose a threat to the communist system. Despite these circumstances, Vasiko's devotion to his spiritual life only grew stronger. In his backyard, he constructed a small dwelling where he lived and carried out his spiritual practices in tranquility. He continued to visit the Sioni Cathedral for prayers and sermons. Not long after, His Beatitude the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Melchisedek III, took notice of the young believer. With the blessing of Melchisedek III, Vasiko began working as a watchman in the Sioni Cathedral and later served as a reader. In January 1955, he was consecrated as a deacon, and on February 23rd, he took his monastic vows at the Motsameta Monastery in Kutaisi, adopting the name Gabriel. Just three days later, he was ordained as a hieromonk by Bishop Gabriel (Chachanidze) of the Kutaisi-Gaenati Eparchy at the St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral. From the moment he took his monastic vows, Monk Gabriel devoted himself tirelessly and with boundless love to God and his fellow beings. With the approval of Melchisedek III, he initially served at the Sioni Cathedral, and from 1960 onwards, he dedicated himself to the Bethany Monastery, alongside his cherished spiritual companions Fr. George and priest-monk Vasili (Pirtskhalava).

         In 1962, following the passing of Father John, Father George, and priest-monk Vasili (Pirtskhalava), the government ordered the closure of the Bethany Monastery. Monk Gabriel returned to Tbilisi and, with his own hands, constructed a seven-cupola church in his backyard. From 1962 to 1965, Monk Gabriel served at the Trinity Cathedral of All Saints and attracted a small parish community.

It is quite difficult for the contemporary generation to imagine an unusual spiritual ability of a young monk, who adopted unprecedented and astonishing step. During the oppressive communist regime, Monk Gabriel demonstrated an extraordinary and unprecedented spiritual courage. In the midst of the May Day demonstration in 1965, he took a remarkable step by publicly burning an enormous portrait of Lenin in front of the Council of Ministers. Fearlessly, he proclaimed to the shocked onlookers, "No glory should be given to this deceased man, but glory to Christ, who conquered death and bestowed upon us eternal life." An enraged crowd pelted him with stones mercilessly. The city declared a level-one alarm, the highest in the Soviet Union, and only the intervention of the infamous 8th regiment saved Monk Gabriel from death. Though severely injured, with 17 fractures to his skull and other parts of his body, Monk Gabriel was taken to the isolation unit of the security department hospital. He was sentenced to death, and the subsequent investigation was conducted in a mere formality. However, the communist authorities exhibited a particular interest in Monk Gabriel's case – they demanded that he confess to an alleged conspiracy within the Georgian Orthodox Church, offering to spare his life in return. Despite enduring prolonged torture, Monk Gabriel remained steadfast. In fact, during his interrogations, he reiterated his characterization of Lenin as a beast, resulting in further brutal beatings. This astonishing and sensational news spread across European and U.S. media, influencing Kremlin policy. Instead of execution, Monk Gabriel was declared mentally ill and sent to a psychiatric hospital. The Soviet government intended to confine him there indefinitely. However, God has preserved the life of his chosen one not for such fate. It is interesting to read an excerpt from the medical conclusion:

Georgian SSR Tbilisi Healthcare City Psycho-Neurological Hospital 19/1 – 1966, Tbilisi, 1, Electroni Str.

#666

Patient: Vassili Urgebadze, born in 1929, 6 class education. Address: 11, Tetritskaro Str.

The patient was admitted to the city psycho-neurological hospital on August 18th, 1965, brought from prison for compulsory treatment. Diagnosis: Psychopathic individual prone to schizophrenia-like blank episodes. He was discharged from the hospital on November 19th, 1965. According to his medical history, he experienced visions of a ghostly evil spirit with horns on its head at the age of 12... The patient contends that all the evils in the world are the result of malevolent forces. He began attending churches, engaging in prayer, acquiring icons, and studying church literature from the age of 12... He observed fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays. Adults and soldiers ridiculed his beliefs: "On Wednesday, Judas sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver, and on Friday, Jewish priests crucified him." His thoughts appeared to be entirely hallucinatory. It became evident from the case that on May 1st, 1965, during a demonstration, he set fire to a large portrait of Lenin hanging on the Council of Ministers building. After an interrogation, he explained that he did this because he believed a depiction of the Crucifixion of Christ should adorn that spot, rather than idolizing a mere mortal man. This raised doubts about his mental well-being, leading to his referral for a court-ordered psychopathic evaluation. The assessment revealed that the patient's orientation was disoriented with respect to time, place, and environment. He engaged in whispered self-talk, expressing belief in the existence of heavenly beings, God, angels, etc. Throughout conversation, his focus consistently centered on the concept that everything was subject to God's will, etc. He was isolated from other patients in the ward. When engaged in conversation, he surely mentioned God, angels, and icons. He displayed an inability to critically assess his condition. He received treatment involving aminazine-phrazia and symptomicine therapy, following which he underwent a medical review.

Act of stationary #42 1965
Chairman of the commission: candidate of medicine, chief physician T. Abramishvili,
Members: J. Shalamberidze and physician Kropov.

He was discharged from the hospital on 19 Jan, 1965 and was taken home by his mother.
Physician: Lezhava. 19 Jan. 1966.

         The unfavorable assessment provided by the Soviet doctors serves as a proof of father Gabriel's profound love for God. It's remarkable that the Soviet officials used Father Gabriel's description of his virtuous life as a medical basis for his release from the mental hospital. This turn of events, brought about by what appears to be the intervention of God's Will, showcases the incredible things that can occur when divine forces intercede in human affairs.

         Father Gabriel's release came about within seven months of his imprisonment, largely thanks to the efforts of the renowned Georgian academician A. Zurabashvili. After three decades, during his service at the Samtavro Convent, Father Gabriel received a visit from Hieromonk Gerasim, a member of the brotherhood of America's largest Orthodox monastery, St. Herman of Alaska. Subsequently, Hieromonk Gerasim published the book "Christ's Confessor in the Present-Day Georgia" in the USA, concluding it with the words: "Fr. Gabriel blessed us and we departed, having witnessed the triumph of the New Testament Church in our own day." Despite the fact that Father Gabriel's priesthood remained intact, he was suspended from performing priestly duties. As a result, he attended church sermons alongside the parishioners and received Holy Communion as a layperson. He frequently had to appear at the security department, often returning home after being mercilessly beaten. There was an incident where the beatings were particularly severe, rendering him unable to walk independently. In this case, Soviet security officers contacted his family members to inform them of his location after leaving him in a compromised state.

         After that point, Father Gabriel made a resolute decision to undergo a complete transformation in his lifestyle, even though it was an incredibly challenging path for him. He chose to adopt a new approach: pretending to be mentally ill and outwardly rejecting his accustomed way of life. In contrast to his former silent demeanor, he now vocally preached in the streets. Whereas he had previously abstained from wine, he began to drink in the presence of others, feigning drunkenness. This decision to simulate foolishness was a remarkable feat that demanded both spiritual strength and a divine intellect. It brings to mind the biblical verse from 1 Corinthians 1:25: "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

         Monk Gabriel's exceptional modesty was truly remarkable. His elder sister, Mrs. Emma, reminisced about him with great admiration:
- "We couldn't fully comprehend him. His soul was refined even from his childhood. After he was consecrated as a priest, he gained much respect from people. Whenever Monk Gabriel came home, he would enter his church and often weep plaintively. On one occasion, I heard him crying through the open door of his church, and I grew concerned. I entered the church and asked him: 'Vasiko, my brother, why are you crying? Is something troubling you?'
- He replied, 'Sister, Christ was born in a manger; yet, people show me respect and kiss my hand.'"

         These words encapsulate Monk Gabriel's profound humility and his unwavering commitment to living a life of selflessness and service, mirroring the humility of Christ. Despite Father Gabriel's exceptional modesty, both secular and religious figures held him in profound respect and reverence, drawn by his extraordinary qualities of love, kindness, wisdom, prophetic insights, knowledge of hidden thoughts, and mastery over time, space, and matter. Four years had passed since Monk Gabriel's release from prison and the asylum. The communist authorities found his courageous activities and religious devotion intolerable. They made the decision to demolish his church, a reflection of the inner conflict between the regime's oppressive agenda and Fr. Gabriel's unyielding spirit. However, Monk Gabriel rebuilt his church on three separate occasions. Eventually, the head of the Soviet police department and later the secretary of the district party committee secretly approached him to offer personal pardons. Father Gabriel reconstructed the church and chapel within a short span of time, though not in its original form. Instead of the initial seven cupolas, he constructed a single, large cupola. This beautiful church remains preserved in that state to this day. In 1971, under the blessings of Cathalicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Eprem II and Metropolitan Ilia (now Cathalicos-Patriarch of Georgia, who was then heading the Seminary), Father Gabriel was appointed as a priest at the Samtavro Convent and Seminary. He was granted ownership of an Old Tower of king Mirian as his permanent residence. Father Gabriel would occasionally express his genuine joy, saying: "Through the mercy of Our Savior and Our Lady and with the blessings of two patriarchs, I have been bestowed with this cell."

From 1972 to 1990, Father Gabriel embarked on a remarkable pilgrimage, visiting churches and monasteries that had been destroyed or abandoned due to the pressures of the communist regime. Whether the journey was lengthy, remote, physically challenging, or posed potential dangers, Father Gabriel would often undertake these pilgrimages alone. However, on some occasions, he was accompanied by a group of believers who assisted him in various ways. Father Gabriel's perspective and dedication were summed up in his words: "Always believe that our labor is not in vain. Though many churches and monasteries are destroyed today or closed, the holy Angel sent by God sees and listens to our diligence and supplication, and brings our prayers to God with joy and makes Him aware of it. We find it difficult to do all these things now. We go in snow and slush, covered with plastic foil we have to deliver sermons, but time will come and these churches and monasteries will be rebuilt and services will be restored." At that time, this vision of restoration seemed nearly impossible to achieve. Father Gabriel's solitary pilgrimages and his determination to preserve the memory of these sacred places stood as a testament to his unyielding faith, unwavering commitment, and enduring hope for a future where these cherished sites would once again flourish and thrive.

        In 1987, Father Gabriel chose a small shed as his dwelling place in a corner known as Kaklovani, a small alley of walnut trees within the Samtavro monastery yard. This modest shed had previously served as a henhouse in the monastery. Over time, it had fallen into disuse. Father Gabriel seldom ventured outside the monastery, only leaving for short periods of three days to a week before returning to his humble abode. This way of life embodied both his deep humility and asceticism. To subject oneself to such extreme conditions, living in a confined space where one can barely stand upright and enduring winter cold without heating – especially when the walls have gaps of only 2-3 centimeters – exemplifies true monastic asceticism. Monk Gabriel primarily resided within this small shed, only occasionally staying in his cell within the old tower. On one occasion, a holy Angel appeared before him and revealed the location of a portion of Svetitskhoveli (Living Pillar), a sacred relic. The Angel precisely indicated where the relic was hidden. In reverence, Monk Gabriel and the nuns retrieved this holy relic and placed it in the Samtavro Transfiguration church, where it remains preserved to this day. In 1990, Monk Gabriel journeyed to Shio-Mghvime monastery with the intention of living a solitary hermit's life. However, during his time there, he received a divine revelation to return to Samtavro Convent and continue serving the people. From that point onwards, until his passing, Monk Gabriel resided in the old tower. He opened his doors to pilgrims as a confessor and dedicatedly served his neighbors with selfless devotion to his duties. During the tense political period of October-November 1991 in Georgia, Monk Gabriel uniquely sensed the impending danger of future hardships. He would often proclaim, "Blood on Rustaveli Avenue! Blood! Blood of Georgians!" When gunfire erupted on Rustaveli Avenue, and Georgians fired upon their fellow countrymen, Monk Gabriel rang the bells at Samtavro and lamented deeply. He intensified his fasting and even refrained from consuming food altogether. It is challenging to describe the depth of his mourning, tears, and heartfelt entreaties to God and Our Lady to save Georgia from the impending crisis.

         Monk Gabriel made no distinctions among people. He shared in the joys and sorrows of all who sought his presence. How many of them were saved from falling into the abyss of spiritual darkness. With his gift of prophecy, he set them on the path of truth.

Monk Gabriel largely concealed his power of miracle-working, revealing it only in exceptional circumstances. For instance, when fundamental Christian doctrine, such as the doctrine of the one-essence Trinity, was challenged, he invoked his God-given ability of miracle-working to affirm the divine truth. On one occasion, he received a visit from a Georgian who was a follower of Hinduism and had spent an extended period in India under the guidance of a spiritual teacher. Father Gabriel took a piece of bread, crossed it in the name of the Holy Trinity, and the bread astonishingly transformed into flame, water, and wheat. "Observe this and comprehend: just as it is with the Holy Trinity in its three hypostases – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," he explained. Fr. Gabriel then made the sign of the cross once more, and the water, wheat, and fire reconstituted into bread. "Just as this bread remains whole and cannot be divided, so too is the Holy Trinity – one-essence and indivisible."

        Once, the Hegumen of the Xiropotamos Monastery from Mount Athos, Archimandrite Joseph, along with other monks, visited Georgia. They came to Samtavro and received blessings from Fr. Gabriel. However, the elder took the opportunity to reprimand Father Joseph: "How could you dare to boldly proclaim that the Virgin has 'abandoned Georgia'? We are under the protection of the Holy Virgin through our prayers and her mercy, even if you fail to recognize it and disapprove." Upon hearing these words, Father Joseph was struck with horror and immediately sought forgiveness. Father Gabriel, displaying his characteristic love and compassion, embraced the Greek guest warmly and invited him to join them at the table. It was later revealed that prior to visiting Samtavro, the Greek fathers had also been to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. The tense political and economic circumstances in Georgia, coupled with the spiritual challenges faced by a nation newly liberated from an atheist regime, had led the respected Archimandrite Joseph to express his regret for Georgia and silently contemplate, "Virgin Mary, you have abandoned Georgia!”.

         On bidding farewell, excited fathers suggested Monk Gabriel to move to Mount Athos, but he refused and answered: "My Athos is here. I would not trade my beloved Georgia for Athos." Around the same time, another significant visit came from priest-monk Gerasim, who had traveled all the way from the USA to Georgia for the specific purpose of meeting Monk Gabriel. Father Gerasim had been serving in the monastery founded in Platina, California by the renowned American hieromonk Seraphim Rose. Following his return to the United States, Father Gerasim and the brotherhood of Platina, California dedicated an article to Father Gabriel in the American Orthodox journal "The Orthodox Word."

         In the later years of his life, Father Gabriel fell seriously ill with edema. Additionally, he suffered a leg injury which left him bedridden for the last year and a half of his life, rendering him unable to walk. On rare occasions, enduring excruciating pain, he would request assistance to sit outside his cell. He would often say, "Your life is my life. If you don't sacrifice yourself for people, nothing will be accomplished." Despite his condition, his spirit of hospitality remained undiminished. Before his leg injury, he personally prepared meals for all who came to him. Even when cooking became impossible, he would request Mother Paraskeva or someone else to prepare meals, and he would offer them with immense love to his visitors. His unwavering effort was to guide everyone closer to God. His words, filled with divine grace and power, had a profound impact on every heart they touched. His prayers were accompanied by copious tears, leaving no one untouched by his profound devotion.

         Over the years, Father Gabriel primarily focused on teachings about God and the love for one's neighbor, emphasizing the significance of repentance, humility, and kindness. However, in the final year of his life, he underwent a sudden shift in his preaching, directing his teachings towards the topic of the End Times. He earnestly shared prophecies about future events, warning his listeners, "You will witness the rise of the Antichrist, and you will face persecution. In those times, you should seek refuge in the mountains. Do not fear! Just as the Israelites lacked nothing during their journey through the desert, having escaped the bondage of Pharaoh and Egypt, similarly, God will care for those who seek freedom in Christ by fleeing to the mountains. You must understand that this path will guide you to the Promised Land – the Paradise – and will illuminate you like the sun." In his final days, Monk Gabriel's teachings were centered solely on love. With tears in his eyes, he imparted his wisdom to all who visited him, emphasizing, "Always remember, God is love. Perform acts of kindness to the best of your ability, as through such acts, you shall save yourself. Embrace modesty, for God showers His mercy upon His humble servants. Repent for your sins and do not delay for 'tomorrow,' as this delay is a snare set by the Devil. Love one another, for a person devoid of love cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven."

On the day preceding his passing, Monk Gabriel uttered these words: "The time has come for my departure." Tenderly caressing the icon of Our Savior that hung above him with his right hand, he fell into silence for a brief interval before continuing, "I have followed you, Christ, since the age of 12. I am prepared; take me!" Throughout that night, enduring agonizing pains until 4 o'clock in the morning, he then began to breathe heavily and called out, "Mother, mother; Sister, sister!" All who were present – members of the nunnery, his family, laypeople, a doctor, and priests – gathered by his side. Father Gabriel fixed his gaze affectionately upon the icon of St. Nicholas of Myra. Archbishop Daniel led the prayers for the dying. As his final moments approached, Father Gabriel smiled and passed away in a state of serenity. It was November 2, 1995. In accordance with his last wishes, Monk Gabriel was laid to rest in the grounds of Samtavro Convent, wrapped in sackcloth as per an ancient monastic custom. A multitude of those who held him dear encircled his body during the burial. With a collective reluctance to release earth over him, the soil was scattered beside the grave. Remarkably, the earth seemed to move of its own accord, tenderly covering him, cradling him in its embrace, until his body was fully covered with ground. In accordance with his instructions, the following words were inscribed upon his grave:

        Numerous miraculous healings are performed at the grave of monk Gabriel. There are several books published in Georgia as well as in others countries about the teachings, life and works of Archimandrite Gabriel.

   Adopted from the book: “TRUTH IS IN THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SPIRIT”
Archimandrite Kyrion (Oniani)
2010, Tbilisi
www.monkgabriel.ge