Saint Gabriel the Fool for Christ

20th century Fool for Christ

Life

• Life and Works
• “Cloaked in Faith and Humility” (video 1 hr 3 min)
• https://orthochristian.com/65883.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Urgebadze
• “I am waiting for you at Samtavro” (video 1hr 5 min)
• “My Life with Saint Gabriel the Fool for Christ” (video 29 min)
• “Myrrh-flowing icon of Rev. Gavriila Urgebadze in the village of Star” (video 1hr 35 min)
• The Elder’s Diadem
• The Orthodox Word (2016)
• The Orthodox Word (1992)
• Akathist to Saint Gabriel the Fool for Christ

Teachings

• The importance of humility: 
  • The greatest virtue is humility.
  • We should all strive to be like the “fools for Christ,” who are willing to give up everything in order to follow Christ.
• The rejection of material possessions: 
  • Material possessions are a distraction from the spiritual life.
  • He urged his followers to give up their possessions and live a simple life.
• The importance of prayer: 
  • Prayer is the key to spiritual growth.
  • He encouraged his followers to pray often and to pray with their whole hearts.
• The love of one’s enemies: 
  • We should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
  • He believed that this is the only way to overcome evil.
• The importance of suffering: 
  • Suffering is a way to unite ourselves with Christ.
  • He urged his followers to embrace suffering and to see it as a gift from God.

Troparion — Tone 4

Rejoice, O holy fool for Christ, Gabriel, Guide of the lost, teacher of the wise, Intercessor for the poor, And comforter of the afflicted.
Pray to Christ our God, That He may grant us His great mercy.

Feast Day(s)

November 2nd

Icon image source: https://www.monkgabriel.ge/eng/icons.htm