"The Elder's Diadem" FULL-LENGTH FILM about Elder Gabriel (Urgebadze). (Video)

Mtskheta is the ancient capital of Georgia. This small town attracts tourists and pilgrims. And not without reason. There are famous monasteries here: Jvari, Zedazeni, Svetitskhoveli, Samtavro. It is to the Samtavro convent that a continuous stream of suffering people flows. They are going to the grave of Elder Gabriel (Urgebadze), glorified as a saint by the Georgian Church on December 20, 2012. This happened in an incredibly short time after his death - 17 years later.

The publishing house “Holy Mountain” published an excellent book about him in 2006 called “The Diadem of the Elder.” You don’t read it, but “swallow it” - it’s impossible to put it down. The elder was called “the great love of the twentieth century.” He often wore a sign on his chest: “A man without love is like a jug without a bottom.” (Our website has already published material about this great Georgian elder: - ed.)

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Aliis inserviendo consumor. (In serving others, I waste myself.) Latin proverb

Reverend Confessor Gabriel (Urgebadze) was born on August 26, 1929. His worldly name was Goderdzi. For a long time, his mother was against her son’s desire to become a monk, but at the end of her life she came to terms with his choice, and subsequently took monastic vows herself. She is also buried in the Samtavro Monastery.

Goderdzi became a believer as a child. One day the neighbors were arguing, and one of them said: “You crucified me like Christ.” The boy became interested in what it means to “crucify” and who Christ is. The adults sent the child to church, where the watchman advised him to read the Gospel. He saved up money, bought the Gospel and after a few years knew the text practically by heart.

The desire for monasticism arose in him in his youth. Later the elder said: “There is no greater heroism than monasticism.” And he proved this throughout his life.

He took monastic vows at the age of 26, receiving the name of St. Gabriel of Athos, an elder who walked on the water and brought the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, which had sailed across the sea, to the Athos shore. Father Gabriel especially revered the miraculous list of Iverskaya, kept in the Samtavro monastery.

In the courtyard of his house on Tbilisi Tetritskaroy street, Father Gabriel built a multi-domed church. He built it with his own hands and finished it around 1962. Father Gabriel found icons for this church in city dumps, where in those godless years numerous holy objects were taken and thrown away along with the garbage. Sometimes he wandered around the dumps for days on end. He had a small workshop where he cleaned icons and made frames for them from various materials. The walls of his church were completely covered with images. He even framed photographs and images of icons from secular magazines.

On May 1, 1965, during a demonstration, Hieromonk Gabriel burned a 12-meter portrait of Lenin, hung on the building of the Supreme Council of the Georgian SSR, and began to preach Christ to the gathered people. For this he was severely beaten and put in the Georgian KGB detention center. During interrogation, Father Gabriel said: he did this because “you cannot idolize a person. There, in place of the portrait of Lenin, the Crucifixion of Christ should hang. Man doesn't need fame. We must write: “Glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.” In August 1965, Father Gabriel was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for examination. Here he was declared crazy. The elder was diagnosed: “a psychopathic personality, believes in God and angels.” He was given a “white ticket”. But then even more terrible things happened to him. Church hierarchs, to please the authorities, did not allow him to enter the church, did not allow him to attend services, and drove him away. The priest did not have the opportunity to receive communion, but he wanted this with all his soul. He could go without food for several days, without sleeping for a long time, but he could not live without church. And the elder often cried from powerlessness, opening his soul to his sisters.

Father Gabriel settled in Samtavro in the 1980s; most recently he lived in a round tower. The nuns were surprised for some time at the priest’s eccentricities, until they saw in them a special feat. At first it seemed strange to them that for some time he lived in a chicken coop, where there were large cracks, and walked barefoot in winter... The old man’s behavior did not fit into any framework, did not correlate with any human concept. But then they began to feel that extraordinary love was coming from him: he loved everyone. Often the elder shouted at the sisters, demanded obedience from them, forced them to do something, or could force them to eat from dirty dishes. But it was impossible to be offended by him - tender love shone in his eyes.

He took Abbess Theodora with him to Tbilisi when she was still a nun and forced her to beg. The two of them begged for alms, and then the elder gave everything to the poor. If they returned by taxi, he could yell at the taxi driver and not give any money at all, or he could pay many times more.

During Holy Week, constant crying was heard from his cell. Some saw how during prayer he rose 40–50 centimeters above the ground and light emanated from him. Believers revered Father Gabriel as a great ascetic; they came to him as to a living saint. When the elder received numerous guests, he always made sure that there was “professor” on the table - that’s what he called red wine. While generously treating people, he ate almost nothing himself. Father said that we must feed on Divine love, and not just food.

Otar Nikolaishvili was the priest’s spiritual child and often spent time in his cell. One day, Father Gabriel unexpectedly told him that he needed to immediately, urgently go to the monastery of St. Anthony of Martkop. Otar was confused: the car was not running, there were problems with it. Father insisted, and somehow they drove off. The road began to climb uphill, the car “coughed and sneezed,” but the elder suddenly said: “Son, don’t worry, the Monk Anthony of Martkop himself is riding with us in the back seat, but don’t turn around.” And the car suddenly jerked forward so much that the driver had to slam on the brakes. When they drove into the monastery gates, the car immediately stalled. At the same time, several armed people entered there, aggressively inclined. The elder immediately came forward and said: “Shoot me.” This confused and sobered up the bandits, and they left the monastery.

According to the elder’s will, his body was wrapped in a mat and interred in the place where Saint Nina labored. Father Gabriel died on November 2, 1995 from dropsy. He suffered greatly from pain, but did not show it.

After his death, an innumerable number of healings began to occur at the grave. The elder is deeply revered by all of Georgia.

There is a website for the Samtavro-Transfiguration Church and the Monastery of St. Nino, which is dedicated to Archimandrite Gabriel and is called “Elder Gabriel - Confessor of Christ.”

Many famous people left their reviews about him, among them -

Abbess of the Gornensky Monastery George (Jerusalem): “You have a true elder. You are in heaven...";

Schema-Archimandrite Vitaly (Sidorenko): “Monk Gabriel is the greatest monk.”

Whoever learns to love will be happy. Just don’t think that love is an innate talent. Love can be learned, and we must do it.

Without sacrifice for the sake of the Lord and neighbor, nothing will work out in spiritual life. Without sacrifice you cannot learn to love.

God does not accept empty words. God loves business. Good deeds are love.

Live in such a way that not only God loves you, but also people - there is nothing more than that.

Glory to Christ God!

From His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II I ask forgiveness and blessings. I leave my blessing and forgiveness-reconciliation to the entire priestly and monastic rank. God is Love, but although I tried a lot, I could not achieve love for God and neighbor, according to the commandment of the Lord. In love lies the entire acquisition by man of the Kingdom of Heaven in this visible world and the inheritance of Eternity (Eternal Life). Bury me without a coffin, in a robe. Be kind and humble; in our humility the Lord remembered us, for He gives grace to the humble. Before every God-born person, be with humility, kindness and love. I take love for everyone with me - both for the Orthodox people and for every person born of God. The purpose of life and this entire visible world is to gain the Kingdom of God, to draw closer to God and to inherit Eternal Life. This is what I wish for all of you. I leave you with my blessing, so that no one will lose the great mercy of God and may everyone be rewarded with the acquisition of the Kingdom. There is no man who will live and not sin. I alone am a great sinner, unworthy in every way, extremely weak. With all my love, I pray to you all: when passing by my grave, ask for forgiveness of me, a sinner. I was dust, and to dust I have returned.

Prayer of Elder Gabriel

Lord, I pray to You, hear us from heaven, look upon us, grant Your mercy, let us go in peace, so that we may walk in Your path, fulfill Your commandments and renounce evil. Teach us, Lord, to pray before You and fulfill Your holy law, so that our hearts become devoted to You and to all of us to live according to Your holy law.

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Grayish-green marble monument with a cross at the top, flower garden. Many small icons. An unquenchable lamp. Bottles with oil. Periodically, a young man or girl takes bottles of oil from the hands of people who approach and add oil from the lamp, carefully wiping off any spilled drops.

O. David serves at the elder's grave.

Over the grave there is a large awning that protects from the heat in summer and from rain in bad weather. Granules of black dry earth are poured into the flower garden, which is added periodically. Two benches, a light tent - nun Paraskeva, who knew the elder closely and was his cell attendant, is constantly there. She keeps a test tube with his incorruptible blood and anoints suitable pilgrims, tourists, acquaintances and strangers with it in a cross shape. Many greet her, some talk for a long time.

There is always a crowd of people at the elder’s grave. There are especially many people on weekends. Sitting on a bench, I watched the pilgrims. All faces are prayerful and focused. Almost everyone kneels down and, taking off their crosses and rings, places them on the ground. They place the palms of their hands on the grave and stand and pray for a long time. Infants are brought, some are laid directly on the grave for some time. The number of young men is surprising.

Coming to the elder’s grave every day, I noticed that there was a special sense of grace and calm there. You don’t think about anything, don’t remember, don’t worry. There is an extraordinary peace in the soul. Georgians call the old man Mama Gabrieli, which I immediately got used to. I can’t explain why I spent several hours at the grave. I often had the opportunity to communicate with that cheerful and loud-voiced priest who serves in Svetitskhoveli - Archpriest David. He cheerfully greeted both tourists and pilgrims - both acquaintances and strangers. He said to all Russians: “Welcome! We love you here in Georgia very much and are always waiting for you. Come." He either baptized, or married, or sold candles in a church shop. When he saw me, he asked: “Well, what are your plans? What else have you seen, where have you been?”

One day I asked him if he knew Elder Gabriel. Of course he knew, and very well. He asked me if I knew about a miracle that happened several years after the death of the priest - about a test tube with blood. No? And he told me the following story.

In the last weeks of his life, the old man had serious health problems. He had dropsy and stomach troubles. A doctor, an excellent surgeon, Zurab Georgievich Varazi, came to see him in Samtavro. A few days before the death of Father Gabriel, the doctor decided to take his blood for tests. Father Gabriel initially refused, but when the doctor said that God would punish him if he did not treat the patient properly, he agreed.

10 ml of blood was placed in an ordinary test tube. A colleague of Zurab Georgievich got into the car and went to Tbilisi. On the way, the test tube slipped out of his hands, fell, the stopper was uncorked, and the blood flowed out - only 2 ml remained. The laboratory reassured me that 2 ml was quite enough and did an analysis.

The next day Father Gabriel became worse. It was necessary to have an operation. But the elder categorically refused. In the evening he died.

A few years later, a colleague called the doctor and said that he had unexpectedly found a test tube with blood, forgotten during the renovation of the laboratory, which they had taken from Father Gabriel four years ago. And this blood was like fresh! Zurab Georgievich did not believe it. A colleague came to see him. Indeed, the blood did not clot, did not dry, did not decompose. The doctor took out one drop with a syringe, made a smear and took it to the laboratory. The analysis showed: everything is normal!

They themselves did not know what they were faced with. The doctor went to the patriarch and said that they took blood from Father Gabriel four years ago, and it still has the same composition as if it was taken yesterday. Isn't this a miracle? His Holiness advised that this blood should be buried in the place where Father Gabriel rests. They buried this test tube in the elder’s grave in the Samtavro monastery. Miracles had already begun to happen there, and people coming from all over Georgia took healing oil and earth with them. They were constantly digging up the grave, so Mother Paraskeva, who was caring for her, took a test tube out of the ground. And now she anoints all people who come to the grave with it. Or rather, he does not anoint, but makes the sign of the cross - that’s more accurate.

The newlyweds take the blessing.

One day on a sunny day there were few people at the grave. Sitting in the shade on a bench under overgrown grape vines, I read the Gospel, the Psalter, and watched the approaching people.

I noticed a man who was leading a plump, slightly excited teenager by the hand. The father was quietly explaining something to his son - it seemed like he was persuading him. They approached the grave, the father tried to put his son on his knees, but he suddenly became stubborn, began to resist and suddenly began to sway and shift from foot to foot: back and forth, back and forth. The movements became faster and sharper. Then Paraskeva’s mother arrived and, taking out a test tube with the old man’s blood, with a quick, deft movement, anointed the teenager’s head in a cross shape. Then something strange happened: the boy made loud sounds, like a horse neighing, and took off running, but just like a horse: galloping. His father hurried after him. They appeared again about fifteen minutes later. And the same story repeated itself. Then again and again. Only each time the boy approached more and more reluctantly: some force did not let him in.

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After repeated visits to the elder’s grave, amazing stories began to happen to me. I would say that Gabrieli’s mother took me under her wing and began to actively help and care for me. There were a lot of cases to verify this.

I'll tell you about some.

When I got ready to go to Georgia for the second time, my confessor asked me to bring him the painted icon of Mama Gabrieli. I tried to negotiate at the Samtavro Monastery, but they refused: they don’t write for private individuals. I went shopping in Tbilisi and didn’t like a single icon. I began to pray at the grave. And suddenly a young man comes out of the tent and asks: “Who is from Russia here? Come inside, the priest invites you.”

Surprised, I go in. Inside the tent, all the walls are hung with icons. My heart froze. I look around: Mother Paraskeva, an old nun on a trestle bed and a smiling Archpriest David. He handed me a bottle of oil and a rather large paper icon of the elder. Just looking at her, I immediately realized that this is exactly the image that would be suitable for my father. Yes, but where to find an icon painter? I knelt down in front of the grave and asked the elder to help.

The next day, at the Kashveti Church, I met Archpriest Elizbar Otiashvili. During our conversation, he introduced me to a young woman named Medea, a mother of four children.

“By the way, she paints icons,” he said.

This is how Medea Davitadze painted a wonderful icon of the elder. I was already in Moscow, and we were both thinking about how to get her across. They prayed to Father Gabriel. And suddenly a Georgian friend named Mirian called and said that his nephew was flying to Moscow from Tbilisi and would bring the icon. The icon turned out amazing: a smiling old man with a diadem on his head, and on the back - a troparion in Georgian. Father was happy.

The following summer I went to Georgia again, this time for two months. I arrived in Tbilisi in the afternoon and was a little sad that I wouldn’t get to Mtskheta that same day and bow to the elder. To my amazement, my friends said that in the evening they would go to Samtavro to negotiate with the confessor about the time of the wedding - and I could go with them! So Mama Gabrieli took care of me. We walked with the nuns in a religious procession through the territory of the monastery, prayed at the grave and served a prayer service in the church.

I never part with the small icon of the elder. And so, living in Borjomi, I hear a conversation between two women, one of whom mentions Gabrieli’s mother. Unable to bear it, I intervene:

– What about Gabrielli’s mother?

They explain to me that in one of the temples there is Mama Gabrieli’s jacket.

Having found out the address, I immediately head to this temple. This is in the Monastery of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There was no one in the temple except one nun who helped me put on my jacket. From the left pocket hung a silver cross on a chain. When I took off my jacket, I saw that there was already a line in the temple. Then the prayer service began, and after it I asked the priest for his blessing to stay in the monastery for a few days. During these days, many incredible stories happened to me. But the most amazing thing is that this jacket, which Elder Gabriel wore under his monastic robe, was absolutely available to us after all the visitors had left. Every morning I had the opportunity to go into the temple, while the monastery gates were still locked, and read the morning prayers, wearing the jacket of a recently canonized saint. And in the evenings, when we gathered in the common room near the refectory, eating another cake brought by caring parishioners, the sisters took turns sitting at the table with this jacket draped over their shoulders. And from time to time a voice was heard:

- Well, you vilified it - now give it to me.

In the Samtavro monastery, some people talked about miracles and the help of Elder Gabriel. I will give several cases of healings from the book “God-Given Miracles and Healings” by Otar Nikolaishvili, purchased at the monastery.

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“The neighbor's child was run over by a car. The skull was damaged (broken). The child was doomed to death; the operation lasted four hours. After the operation, his face and tongue were swollen. After anointing Father Gabriel with oil, the swelling went away and the child began to return to life. He has now been discharged and is feeling well.

Daria, Tbilisi, Nutsubidze plateau, V microdistrict, VIII bldg.”

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“In March last year I was diagnosed with a tumor of the breast and internal organs. Almost all oncologists insisted on surgery. I went to Father Gabriel’s grave to make a decision. Then I had this vision: Father Gabriel stood and smiled at me. I was filled with faith and refused the operation. I went to the grave all the time and treated myself with oil. Two months ago I underwent an examination; nothing similar to a tumor was found in my body, while the doctors predicted that I would live only two weeks if I did not undergo surgery.

Lela Tsirekidze, Tbilisi, TEVZ, 1st quarter, cor. 23"

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“I was found to have fibroids and myomas. An operation was needed. Due to illness, my tongue was periodically lost. A relative brought me Father Gabriel's oil. I anointed myself with it twice and felt relief. When I was about to anoint myself for the third time, I felt that my tongue was going numb again. I said to myself: “It’s not helping,” and that evening I went to bed without anointing myself with oil. That evening I had a dream. A priest with a big beard came to my house and said to me: “You’re crying: it doesn’t help, it doesn’t help, but what can help you if you haven’t prayed? Pray and see if it helps or not. Look at me. I'm a priest and I have a beard. If I didn't have a beard, would I be a priest? You say you believe, but you don’t pray - what kind of faith is this? Pray and you will get help.”

I woke up. She began to anoint herself with oil again, while praying. Yesterday we did an echoscopy and found nothing. The doctor almost went crazy with surprise.

Pelageya Tatarashvili, p. Saguramo"

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“In the third month of pregnancy, I had an echoscopy. It was clear that the child had a cystic formation in the abdomen. The case was so difficult that doctors strongly advised an abortion. I refused. I started going to Father Gabriel’s grave and using the oil. The child was born completely healthy. The medical staff were amazed.

Mariam Kvitsiani, Tbilisi, Varketili, st. Javakhetskaya, 11, apt. 21"

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“I had psoriasis, a skin disease. Ulcers covered the entire body. I couldn't lie on my back. A neighbor gave me Father Gabriel oil in a penicillin bottle. After the fourth anointing, the illness disappeared and the skin cleared.

Makvala Davitashvili, Tbilisi, village. TEVZ, IV quarter, apt. 8"

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“Glory and thanksgiving to the Lord for everything! The Lord gave Father Gabriel to us sinners! I suffered from severe cirrhosis for several years. On November 4, 2004, I visited the grave of Father Gabriel. I anointed myself, knelt down and asked for a blessing so that I could go to the hospital, since I was not admitted there. When I returned from the grave, everything worked out so easily that it could be called a miracle. I was admitted to the hospital, had an echoscopy, and it turned out that there was no more cirrhosis.

Suliko Gvindzhilia, Senaki"

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“The young girl had a stage 1 tumor on her cervix. She was scheduled to have surgery in a month. For a month she used the oil from the grave of Father Gabriel, and when she came to the hospital for surgery, it turned out that there was no longer any tumor. This is a real miracle.

Nana Siradze, p. Nemokmedi Ozuretsky district"

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“I have been going to Father Gabriel’s grave since 1997. I came there with firm faith and pain in my heart that I did not know him during his lifetime. When I came to the grave, radical changes began in my life; visiting the grave of Father Gabriel is a miracle in itself. He fulfills all requests. My mother suffered from repeated menopause in her old age. I started giving her oil and she recovered. My mother was not yet a believer then. She has now converted to Christianity. And I also consider this to be a consequence of taking the oil and I thank Father Gabriel.

Izo Beridze, parishioner of Anchiskhati Church, Tbilisi, Dili Dighomi, III microdistrict, bldg. 14, apt. 73"

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“The oil from the grave of Father Gabriel and the prayers offered to the Lord at the grave of Father Gabriel can do everything: not only heal the sick, but also bring reconciliation, unite long-separated families and bring everyone closer through gracious love. Me, my sister and the family of people close to us were in a quarrel for many years, and prayers to Father Gabriel helped us to reconcile. Now our relationship is so good that this could be wished for any family.

Natela Ebanoidze, parishioner of the Kashueti Church"

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“For a whole year I was tormented by allergies and had a rash. I was treated, but to no avail. With the help of a friend, I went to the grave of Father Gabriel. It was raining, but Paraskeva’s mother came out to us, gave us oil and explained how to use it. I anointed myself with oil and drank it. Two weeks later I went there again with my husband and friends and took the oil again. A week later I noticed that the rash had completely disappeared and that I was cured of my allergies.

Nino Pirosmanishvili, Tbilisi, st. Michurina, 10"

In the photo: Nino in Gabrieli's mother's jacket.

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“When I anoint myself with Father Gabriel’s oil, all pain disappears. When I returned from the sea, my big toe hurt. Nothing helped except Father Gabriel's oil. My 12 year old son was suffering from abdominal and stomach pain. Several times I gave him Father Gabriel’s oil with food, anointed his forehead with a cross, and everything went away. Whenever I have a problem, I sit in front of his photo and ask for help. I am a widow, and imagine how many problems I have. Thank you very much for everything, Father Gabriel, for everything you do for me.

Marina Machavariani, Tbilisi, st. Paliashvili, 31"

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“I suffered from total bone marrow fibrosis. A year and a half ago, doctors lost all hope of saving me. A yellow liquid was coming out of the bones. I was left to God's will. He prayed, anointed himself with the oil of Father Gabriel and drank the oil. Three months later the results appeared. Now I am absolutely healthy. In addition, I had gray eyebrows and gray hair. After taking the oil, my eyebrows turned black and my hair turned gray.

Vano Tsilikashvili, Varketili massif, II microdistrict, VI building.”

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“My friend’s pregnancy was terminated several times. A delegation from Greece visited Georgia. One of the guests - a Greek priest - told her: “You have a wonderful shrine in Georgia” - and told her to go to the grave of Father Gabriel, which she did. Some time passed and she became pregnant.

Maya Kublashvili, Tbilisi, st. Kandelaki, 10"

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“For three years I could not give birth to a child; all treatment methods were ineffective. During Great Lent, I went to the grave of Father Gabriel and asked him to be an intercessor before the Lord. There were a lot of people at the grave, but for some reason Paraskev’s mother paid attention to me and anointed my forehead with oil. I took the oil with me and anointed my forehead every day as prescribed. That month I became pregnant.

According to Maya Kublashvili"

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From prisoners' letters:

“Prison prisoners healed by the oil of Father Gabriel turn to Christ! Thank the Lord for everything!

Now I am a prisoner, serving my sentence in the Ksani colony, in the seventh zone. In our zone, the Church of St. Nicholas was built, where we pray. Personally, I was given a cell at the church, and I serve in the temple. You know what a difficult time these are. It is difficult for people in the wild to feed themselves, provide themselves with treatment and solve other problems, and all this is doubly difficult for prisoners. At such a time, Father Gabriel came to us as a great consolation. His miraculous oil has healed more than one prisoner, and the number of those cured is increasing. More than once Father Gabriel allowed me to see his miraculous power. In our area for an early meeting with my husband, there was his wife with a ten-month-old baby. The child became very ill and had a very high temperature. The doctors could not understand what was wrong with the child. They called me, and I took Father Gabriel’s oil with me. When I arrived, the child, who had been so weak from illness, reached out to me. I dribbled oil on my little finger and anointed the child's forehead in a cross pattern. The boy licked his little finger moistened with oil and soon fell asleep. He woke up completely healthy. There are many eyewitnesses to this among the prisoners. After that incident, if someone gets sick, they always call me and ask me to anoint them with oil from the lamp on the grave of Father Gabriel. In December 2002, I dreamed of purchasing a large image of Father Gabriel. Waking up in the morning, I went for a morning check-up, where I very rarely go. Suddenly a prison officer calls me over and says that his brother-in-law has sent me images of Father Gabriel and a calendar. I thanked the Lord and hung images of Father Gabriel and a calendar in my cell. In the evening I went to bed. During the day I was very tired and wanted to sleep, but I could not fall asleep. After 10–15 minutes, I felt that some force was telling me to go out into the yard. I walked out and saw my friend standing there spitting blood. He is ill. I took him to my cell and asked him to pray with me. He felt so bad that he could not even pray. I lit a candle, said the Lord's Prayer and anointed him with oil, then gave him some oil to drink. After four minutes the pain disappeared and he asked for tea. He is very grateful to Father Gabriel. My wife is a group II disabled person; she has a curvature of the spine (scoliosis). At the same time, she had a large lump right on her spinal column, which was very painful; from one touch to this bump she lost consciousness. She, without taking any other medicines, was anointed by me with Father Gabriel’s oil only twice and drank it. The spine no longer hurts. Thank you very much to the Lord, and we are grateful to Father Gabriel for his help.

Prisoner Vasily Narindoshvili"

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“In 1994–1995, as a result of beatings, the eardrum in my left ear ruptured, and blood and pus are still flowing from there. I lost my hearing. I learned that the oil from the lamp on the grave of Father Gabriel miraculously heals the sick. I only anointed my ear with oil twice, and a miracle happened. All pain went away and hearing returned (80–90%). My throat hurt. I chewed streptocide, but to no avail. As soon as I drank the oil, the pain went away within five minutes. Thank you very much to the Lord! I am grateful to Father Gabriel for his help.

Prisoner Guram Managadze"

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“I had a stomach ulcer and was often in severe pain. On January 2nd of this year I was in a lot of pain and was looking for a soda to drink. The guys helped me read the “Our Father” prayer and then anointed me with the oil of Father Gabriel in a cross shape and gave me a little drink of this oil. The pain immediately subsided. Now I do not suffer from stomach pain. No matter what food you take.

Prisoner Arthur Sukasyan"

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“My leg was festering, two of my fingers were rotting, nothing helped. I went to Vasily and asked him to anoint me with the oil of Father Gabriel. He anointed me with oil, in addition, he sprinkled earth on my leg from the grave of Father Gabriel and bandaged it. The next morning I took off the bandage and saw a miracle: my leg was completely healthy. Many thanks to Father Gabriel.

Prisoner David Reading"

Venerable Confessor Gabriel, pray to God for us!

Larisa Khrustaleva

https://www.pravoslavie.ru/orthodoxchurches/65311.htm

Saint of Samtavria

In the 1980s, the elder settled in the Samtavro convent.

This is where the old man spent the rest of his days. His grave is also located here. Subsequently the name of this place was added to his name. Gabriel of Samtavria is listed as a saint in the Orthodox calendar.

Arriving at the monastery, he surprised everyone by adapting a dilapidated chicken coop as a cell, where he slept and prayed boldly to the Lord, not only for the sisters of the monastery and Georgian acquaintances, but also for strangers - his prayer was for the whole world.

He was happy to endure humiliation and insults from people, responding with love, thereby setting an example of humility and obedience. He often repeated: “God is love.” There was not even a moment in his life when he did not think about God.

If the question concerned prayer, then he was very demanding of himself, and did not tolerate haste and negligence from others. He demanded that they pray with reverent awe.

Father Gabriel was a very wise confessor; he zealously cared for the spiritual purification and improvement of the nuns. For them, he developed and wrote down a charter, calling it “The Narrow Path of Monasticism” and, placing it in a frame, handed it to the abbess for guidance.

Some quotes from it:

pacify the womb;
do not miss the all-night vigil;
endure reproaches and insults;
forgive;
humiliate your will;
in response to slander and insults, remain patiently silent;
silently humble yourself, especially if you condemn

Having become seriously ill with dropsy at the end of his life, the elder continued to receive and console visitors, people who were physically healthy, but who were spiritually sick. He instructed them, strengthened them in faith, and for this purpose he was not afraid to tell them about the miracles that happened to him.

He gave examples of cases from his life when, giving his last, he received many times more, and said: “For what is given for a good deed, God gives a hundred times more.”

“One day,” says the elder, “I went shopping, and on the way I met beekeepers who complained that they could not get a hundred rubles to buy medicine for sick bees.

And I just had this amount intended to purchase groceries for the month. Without hesitation, I gave them my money, and returned to the monastery with nothing. The next day, two famous actors came to me and donated a thousand.”

How does the prayer of Rev. help? father

Interesting fact

From the first days, suffering and sick people hurried to the elder’s grave, many received healings. The fame of the miracles quickly spread far beyond the borders of Georgia.

The foolish old man sowed seeds of good everywhere, the meaning of his life was to serve God, the goal of life was to lead people to faith. They pray to him:

about acquiring and increasing love;
about the reconciliation of warring parties;
about finding faith;
about preserving the family;
about the gift of healthy children

There is evidence of healing from serious illnesses, such as:

psoriasis;
cirrhosis;
fibrosis;
allergy;
oncology

Myrrh-streaming icon of St. archimandrite

People who respected the elder carefully kept photographs and paintings, and from the day of his death treated them as icons. The day came, and the Lord glorified the Georgian confessor among the saints.

Belt icon of St. Venerable Gabriel Urgebadze. Icon painter - Giorgi Zakaidze.

New wonders

Icon painters began making lists from photographs. One such list suddenly gave me peace. The icon of St. Gabriel was bought in an ordinary church shop and placed in the “red corner” of the house of an ordinary young Georgian family with two children.

And the more amazing this story is.

Interesting fact

Since the end of June 2014, the entire Orthodox world has been discussing the news of the miraculous phenomenon. The flow of myrrh was so abundant that it was collected in dishes and handed over to the clergy, who anointed with it everyone who wanted to turn to the monk with prayer

Testimonies and quotes about miracles

Father Gabriel, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, could see the past and accurately determine the future, but not for the sake of honor and glory, but for admonition. They tell of a case when a girl of easy virtue, vulgarly dressed and made up, mocked the ascetic for a long time and even sat on his lap.

Then the elder said: “Come tomorrow, Makvala.” When the girl heard her name, she jumped up and ran away without looking back.

The next day she really came. She had a pious appearance: a skirt, a scarf, not an ounce of makeup. The girl cried for a long time in front of the closed door of the ascetic’s cell, begged for forgiveness for her shamelessness, and thanked him.

This change stunned eyewitnesses and was remembered by many.

Many people also remember the incident with the snake bite. One day in the monastery courtyard, a young nun was bitten by a snake, leaving two deep bite marks on her leg.

The frightened sisters called the elder, who anointed the wound with oil and sprinkled it with holy water (with a fervent inner prayer for healing).

The arriving doctors, who did not have the opportunity to provide even first aid due to the lack of medicine, helplessly threw up their hands, expecting a sad outcome, and then were surprised to note the fact of healing without medical intervention.

And here is the contemporary testimony of a young Georgian believer, whose father was sick with psoriasis and was under the supervision of doctors in the hospital:

“There was no talk of recovery, and besides, my father had a heart attack, then I remembered that at the grave of Elder Gabriel they serve prayer services and distribute oil from a lamp.

I hurried there, leaning towards the grave, I suddenly felt a special joy, my heart was filled with love, and I realized that the saint had responded to my prayer.

Returning to my father’s room, I anointed his forehead with a cross, read the “Our Father,” and once again tearfully asked the saint for my father’s healing, then left, since it was already late evening.

Imagine our surprise and amazement of the doctors when we entered the room and found a seriously ill patient sitting on the bed without a single spot of psoriasis on his face or body. At the same time, the father told about his dream, in which a gray-bearded priest appeared to him and said:

“Eh, my brother... You have never received communion or confessed yet, but you have a believing son and a believing wife who called me. I can’t watch them cry... Let me heal you now, and you start living the church life. Go to church often, go to confession and receive communion. So we will be friends... Otherwise, I am not your friend. Understood?"

You can imagine my surprise, because I had not yet had time to tell him about my visit to the saint’s grave! My mother could not hold back her tears of joy. I cried too... Everyone cried.

Spiritual Instructions and Prophecies

With love, like his own father, the elder guided everyone he met on his life’s path on the path leading to God. His teaching continues today through his teachings, here are just a few:

“Who gave you your soul, to Him it belongs.”

“Whoever learns to love will be happy. Just don’t think that love + is an innate talent. Love can be learned, and we must do it.”

“God will give you back a hundred times what you spent doing good deeds.”

“Do not worry about the flesh, think about the salvation of the soul. Whoever conquers his tongue and belly is already on the right path.”

“Disorderliness and shamelessness are the beginning of all evil.”

“If you witness a theft and cannot intervene, read the Our Father.”

Father's predictions

Monk Gabriel did not write down his teachings and prophecies, so people carefully kept what they heard, passing it on to each other. Father spoke a lot about the last times and the seal of the Antichrist. His prophecies about Russia are known. As a rule, people supplement such prophecies with legends and myths, but the main idea is this:

“In the last times, people will be saved by love, humility and kindness. Kindness will open the gates of heaven, humility will lead you there, and love will show God.”

A modern ascetic and experienced spiritual mentor has worthily overcome his earthly path, and after death, showing miracles, he continues to testify to us about the Lord, eagerly responding to requests.

Author: Irina Yatova

Samtavro Monastery. Georgia, Mtskheta, founded in the 11th century

Akathist

Kontakion 1 Prefers the foolishness of the cross of Christ to the wisdom of this age, all the sweet and flattering things of the world, as thou hast imputed to the grave of the cave, Father Gabriel. And you took up your cross, you followed the one Christ from childhood until your last breath. And so you entered the Heavenly Abodes, where you now stand before your Master, pray for us who sing to you: Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us as a teaching! Ikos 1 You found the Gospel like a treasure hidden in the village, you squandered it all with joy, so that you gained Christ, and like a bought slave you did not be lazy in the Lord’s vineyard. And we sing to you: Rejoice, worker of the first hour! Rejoice, as a slave, having done nothing, blame yourself! Rejoice, as the Apostle Andrew, who did not hesitate to answer the call of Christ! Rejoice, as Peter, who received him with a warm heart! Rejoice, you withheld nothing from Him for yourself! Rejoice, for you have cast your widow’s mites as a gift to God! Rejoice, good earth, on which the seed has grown cold and bears fruit! Rejoice, God-given talents, increased many times over! Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to learn!

Kontakion 2 Having not yet known sin, you have armed yourself with your flesh, for you desire the spirit, just as the apostle said. from childhood, not knowing neither satiety nor a soft bed, but diligent in reading the Gospel and praying more fervently. We are amazed at your zeal for God, saying to you: Alleluia. Ikos 2 Irritated by your exploits, the demon has appeared in reality, he wants to take revenge. Moreover, from birth the Lord preserved you as His chosen vessel, preserving you with His grace. And we appeal to you this way: Rejoice, do not have pity for yourself from your youth! Rejoice, O youth, resist the demon! Rejoice, and for your mother’s sake you did not deviate from your way of life. Rejoice, you who hated your very soul in this world. Rejoice, having come to the measure of the ancient fathers in vigil and fasting, Rejoice, and bless those who are able to struggle. Rejoice, thy flesh, for thou hast offered a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to the Lord. Rejoice, for the words of the Lord you have preserved the cruel ways. Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to learn!

Kontakion 3 You, Father, endured many wanderings while still a youth, going from monastery to monastery, until you came to Bethany, having found your spiritual fathers, with whom you now sing a song of praise to Christ, your beloved: Alleluia! Ikos 3 Later, you accepted the dignity of a monk and a priest, and then an archimandrite, but throughout your life for many years you did not have a refuge for yourself. And you lived a lot in the cemetery among the graves, feeding on alms, and thus following your Lord, who had no place to lay his head. For this reason, we teach you through your procession in Christ, we call you: Rejoice, persecuted one, for all who want to live piously in Christ, Rejoice, apostle of the Lord, sent without money or gold. Rejoice, ascetic, until now unknown to anyone. Rejoice, beloved and revered by all. Rejoice, by living among the graves you have forever conquered fear. Rejoice, having learned to fear only one sin. Rejoice, impute hunger and filth in nothingness to love for Christ’s sake. Rejoice, O River, for through sorrow we learn faith and love! Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to learn!

Kontakion 4 You rebuilt the Church of Christ, which was in desolation, Father Gabriel, while still playing as a child, but as a youth you carried heavy stones and erected the destroyed church at the call of St. George, after which you created your beautiful temple, in disrepair and now come the faithful to sing to God : Hallelujah! Ikos 4 Father Gabriel, creating shrines and collecting images from house to house, thou didst make sure that the sacrifice of God is offered and the sacraments are performed, and thus may the temples that were destroyed be rebuilt in the souls of men, so that the prayer of God may be lifted up in them. For this reason, in gratitude, we cry out to the Lord: Rejoice, reverent guardian of the holy things! Rejoice, icon, trustee of those who were neglected! Rejoice, you who see the icon of God in every person! Rejoice, restore the image destroyed by man! Rejoice, you who created and recreated your magnificent temple! Rejoice, to whom angels are like apprentice servants! Rejoice, you have prepared your physical temple, holy and pure, for the service of God! Rejoice, for today your relics exude grace! Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to learn!

Kontakion 5 Holy Father, you proclaimed that it is fitting for a monk to be firm in the truth. You, to blood and to death, testified to your faith, when you went out into the square, like a funeral feast, you are like an ancient martyr, preferring the death of Christ for the sake of agreement with the worship of idols. We cannot imitate your boldness, but we sing to you: Alleluia! Ikos 5 You walked firmly, Father, into torment and death, when you set fire to an idol’s image, saying the commandment of the Lord, you shall not make for yourself an idol, nor any likeness of it, teaching your flock to give worship to God alone. Likewise, we, those of little faith, praise you: Rejoice, God-inspired confessor of faith! Rejoice, good shepherd, take care of your flock! Rejoice, you who desired to suffer for Christ’s sake! Rejoice, you who endured extreme torment in prison and among the insane! Rejoice, having escaped death only by the power of God! Rejoice, thou who hast been imputed to madness! Rejoice, as you have cast off the world! Rejoice, triumph of the Church in new times! Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to learn!

Kontakion 6 Like a most careful monk, Father Gabriel, you kept all the commandments, especially humility, as I keep the unquenchable one to God. Even when you were a youth, you made your former seat a heap of rubbish, imputing it to yourself as nothing. Having mastered the feat of foolishness on himself, he showed himself like a madman and like a pianist, and like the last sinner. Exalting praise to such a feat of yours, we cry out: Alleluia! Ikos 6 You said, Father, that you should acquire humility for your children, as if leading them into Paradise, and you taught many times against the sins of pride, and most of all, you showed it through your life, not even showing your talents, but only discreetly showing them, for the benefit of the faithful. We, who were once bound by our pride, like many bonds, cry out to you: Rejoice, for you who called praise to ruin for the monk! Rejoice, for those who offended, insulted and laughed at you, pity and love even more! Rejoice, for you have seen your exaltation as an abomination before the Lord! Rejoice, for in condemnation there is only stupidity, which is ignorance of oneself, you who have received your sight, Rejoice, for one who comes to you, even if you are a sinner, inquired. Rejoice, you who truly confessed yourself as a sinner. Rejoice, for through your humble preaching you show the power of God! Rejoice. like a child who entered the Kingdom of Heaven without restraint! Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to learn!

Kontakion 7 Carrying the sorrow of your people in your heart, Father Gabriel, for Georgia, the chosen destiny of God’s Mother, you fervently sent out prayers, saying, “Woe to the monk, I do not pray for my people.” For such filial zeal of yours, I sing to you: Alleluia! Ikos 7 You foretold, Father, that Georgia, in the darkness of unbelief, was persecuting its Church, the resurrection, like Lazarus, both through great trials. And you were a spiritual child from the bones of your people and St. Nina and the host of Georgian saints. Both the Egyptian Macarius and the Sarov Seraphim are a brother in Christ and a true companion. And now all the ends of the earth sing to you: Rejoice, until your death your heart aches for Georgia! Rejoice, you who did not desire to change to Athos! Rejoice, you who provide for the spiritual enlightenment of your people! Rejoice, you who proclaimed the glory of Georgia before the Second Coming! Rejoice, for I carry away love for all the Orthodox people before my death. Rejoice, having named all of Georgia and half of Russia with your cross! Rejoice, faithful son of Georgia who suffers, Rejoice, Mama Gabrieli, loving father of all the world's Orthodox! Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to learn.

Kontakion 8 From infancy you were merciful and merciful, Father Gabriel, but having undergone the feat of fasting and shining through confession, you reached the love of Christ, which is the fulfillment of the law. We were warmed by that love of yours, near and far, and we sing to you with gratitude: Alleluia! Ikos 8 You have shown us an image of perfect love in Christ Jesus, who does not envy, who does not think evil, who rejoices in the truth, who endures everything, who embraces faith in all things, even though they fall away. You accepted every person into the arms of your soul. Likewise, we, your children, call to you: Rejoice, whose heart was sorrowful for Christ, like the apostle’s on the way to Emmaus. Rejoice, you who always see Christ in your neighbor! Rejoice, for to him you have given sight of human souls. Rejoice, for you have given him a memory that never weakens. Rejoice, thou who hast consigned one to oblivion even once. Rejoice, for the Father reproves their sins with love. Rejoice, thou who callest a man without love like a vessel without a bottom! Rejoice, as Elder Paisius, who laid down his soul for his neighbor. Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to learn!

Kontakion 9 Your prayer, O blessed one, reached to heaven, for it was with humility, the fear of God and with tears, for the gift of tears was given to you, and in your church-cell you shut yourself up for months, weeping, like Elder Silouan, about your sins, about your fatherland yours, and about everything Adam. For this reason, today, asking for your prayers, we call you: Alleluia! Ikos 9 You especially called, O diligent shepherd, so that prayer would not be a sin, and that good deeds would follow that prayer - this is how one should pray. Pray and do not fulfill the commandments - he prays evilly, as you said and did. And we, like our shepherd, cry to you: Rejoice, you who commanded God to stand before you with fear! Rejoice, instruct us to pray slowly and not waste time! Rejoice, for you are forbidden to trouble God in vain! Rejoice, for you call prayer without works dead! Rejoice, for you teach to pray for your neighbor, for prayer teaches love! Rejoice, for you have begun to pray for your neighbors and even reach out to your enemies and instruct them. Rejoice, repent with your heart rather than with tears. Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to learn!

Kontakion 10 Thou hast firmly preserved the Orthodox faith, betrayed by the fathers, O Reverend Gabriel, as the fathers said, Thou shalt not be a fornicator, rather than a heretic, For thou hast declared that there is no saving love other than the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is Truth and Life. Moreover, we bring a song of praise to your standing in faith: Alleluia! Ikos 10 Love every person, Father, filled with love, you warned against heretics, saying: for it is commanded from the Lord not to give what is holy to a dog, lower than throwing pearls before swine, so you also warned about the heresy of heresies, which is ecumenism, calling it treason to Christ. Likewise, we, who remain in doubt and hesitation, call to you: Rejoice, let your faith be scolded, equating it with destruction. Rejoice, you who live without the church are like blasphemers. Rejoice, for you are commanded to thank God for your birth in the Orthodox faith; Rejoice, for you are concerned about whether those in other faiths will be saved, but not commanded. Rejoice, extend your love to the very enemies of God. Rejoice, convert by your example to the right faith. Rejoice, for you foretell the times of the Antichrist soon. Rejoice, have faith in your heart, and not in your mind, in order to recognize it, call upon it! Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to learn.

Kontakion 11 Wonderful ascetic, Lord, lift up the humble to you, enrich the humble with gifts, just as the heart of those who stayed in your cell was touched by the consciousness of their sins. For you had the power to remove all evil from your thoughts and leave only what was useful for the Kingdom of Heaven. By that power of the Lord that acted in you, there was amazement, and you said: Alleluia. Ikos 11 You have healed many, Father, revealing to them the thoughts and secrets of their souls. Through your prayer, great rain abiye presta, when it is proper to bury the deceased. You were diligent in fasting and vigil, hiding your gifts and the radiance of your soul through foolishness. Now, as we worship your icon and ask for your help, we cry out to you: Rejoice, thou who by thy gifts has surpassed the measure of mortals! Rejoice, for through your conversation you bestowed deep repentance! Rejoice, in contemplation in another monastery you have visited and known there the former. Rejoice, blessed child in the mother’s womb to listen to the word of God. Rejoice, for whom the Lord has given insight into the depths of human souls! Rejoice, as an apostle of love, recline on the Lord’s foreheads, Rejoice, as you are like him, the Lord has revealed His unknown and secret to you. Rejoice, for a wiser man than God is a witness. Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to learn!

Kontakion 12 Of the last times, ascetic, you taught your flock that now God requires from us love, even more than the iniquities of many, so that through love a person will be able to persevere in faith before the end of the age. And as a worker and teacher we cry to you: Alleluia! Ikos 12 You taught, Holy Father, that in love there is a union of perfections, and this is the final deification. Therefore, the human enemy raises the highest warfare against her, greatly grieving over her. For this reason, deeds should be preferred to love over everything, since without deeds one is dead. We, desiring to inherit a drop of it, offer you a song: Rejoice, thou art like the five wise virgins! Rejoice, thou who createth and teachest! Rejoice, wise one who loves the doer and calls to action. Rejoice, love, like a feat given to our time, name it. Rejoice, that you have taught her to be your first concern! Rejoice, for you have edified the petition for alms as if it were the mercy of God! Rejoice, loving servant and zealot, for this is the Lord Himself! Rejoice, for without Christ everything is nothing, O Commander! Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to learn!

Kontakion 13 O blessed father, ascetic and confessor, faithful servant of Christ, who treasured up all his life for Him and after his death found his treasure in Him, as he himself predicted. Now, with the angels and all the saints, standing before the Throne of the Lord, pray for us, Mama Gabrieli, who come running to you in prayer, beg the merciful Master, so that a drop of your blessed hope, faith and love will be shed into our hearts withered by pride. Let us sing with you: Alleluia! (This kontakion is read three times. Then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1)

Ikos 1 You found the Gospel like a treasure hidden in the village, you squandered it all with joy, so that you gained Christ, and like a bought slave you did not be lazy in the Lord’s vineyard. And we sing to you: Rejoice, worker of the first hour! Rejoice, as a slave, having done nothing, blame yourself! Rejoice, as the Apostle Andrew, who did not hesitate to answer the call of Christ! Rejoice, as Peter, who received him with a warm heart! Rejoice, you withheld nothing from Him for yourself! Rejoice, for you have cast your widow’s mites as a gift to God! Rejoice, good earth, on which the seed has grown cold and bears fruit! Rejoice, God-given talents, increased many times over! Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to learn! Kontakion 1 Prefers the foolishness of the cross of Christ to the wisdom of this age, all the sweet and flattering things of the world, as thou hast imputed to the grave of the cave, Father Gabriel. And you took up your cross, you followed the one Christ from childhood until your last breath. And so you entered the Heavenly Abodes, where you now stand before your Master, pray for us who sing to you: Rejoice, blessed Gabriel, who left your love for us to teach!

Where are the relics of the Georgian St. father

Many pilgrims are eager to know: where is the saint buried? He was buried, according to his will, in the place where Saint Nina, Equal to the Apostles, labored.

Discovery of relics in Georgia

During his lifetime, the elder said that his remains would be taken out of the grave; the prediction came true, despite the fact that reburial of remains was not accepted in this area.

February

2014

the relics were found, glorified and transferred for veneration to the Samtavria Monastery.

Relics in Moscow

On November 2, 2021, an icon with a particle of the elder was brought to the Moscow Church of the Resurrection of the Word. Today the icon is available for veneration.

Books and programs about the saint

Heart full of love

The contemporaries of the spirit-bearing elder remember him with love and reverence. In 2021, a book of memoirs about him, “A Heart Full of Love,” was published. The author Malkhaz Jinoria, the spiritual child of Father Gabriel, has put together many stories related to his mentor and his biography. Each story in the story is confirmed by eyewitnesses.

Elder's Diadem

Under this title, in 2002, a book of memoirs about the Reverend Confessor Gabriel (Urgebadze) was published at the Samtavri Monastery in Georgia, which was later translated into Russian and published by the publishing house “Holy Mountain”.