Tbilisi, November 2, 2014
His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia in connection with the feast-day of Venerable Archimandrite Gabriel (Urgibadze; 1929-1995, commemorated on November 2) delivered an address after the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, reports Gruzia Online.
His Holiness informed his flock that a street in Tbilisi where St. Gabriel’s house is situated would be named after him. Also a parcel of land nearby has been allotted where a Church of Venerable Gabriel will be built.
“Georgia is rich in outstanding people. Outstanding people whom God gave talents have shown forth here throughout all times. Today Venerable Father Gabriel is commemorated.
“Nearly all of you knew Fr. Gabriel, knew the power of his prayer, his activities. He was an extraordinary person. Sometimes he was praying. He especially prayed for people, for the simple folk. Sometimes he behaved like a “Fool for Christ” and indeed was given grace by God to perform miracles. He worked miracles. Today we are asking our Lord, so that through his prayers He might reconcile Georgia, our Church, unite Georgia. May God grant that everybody should see in his or her neighbor a brother and not an enemy,” the Catholicos-Patriarch said.
