Vol. 52, No. 3 (308) May-June, 2016

St. Gabriel the Fool-for-Christ of Samtavro

By Nun Cornelia (Rees)

This issue of The Orthodox Word features the Life of a recently glorified saint of the Georgian Orthodox Church. St. Gabriel (Urgebadze) was a great ascetic, confessor for the Faith, a priest, and a fool-for-Christ, and is one of the most beloved saints of recent times in Georgia as well as Russia. Chosen by God from his childhood to be His faithful servant, St. Gabriel was absolutely fearless in his defense of Christianity in the face of Communist persecution, for which he endured imprisonment and torture. His overflowing love for people drew multitudes of believers to his cell, where they found consolation, encouragement, and miraculous healing of spiritual and physical infirmities.

Also included in this issue are several of St. Gabriel’s teachings, as well as accounts of miracles worked by him both before and after his repose.