Venerable Gabriel (Urgebadze)

Venerable Gabriel (born Goderdzi Urgebadze) was born in Tbilisi on August 26, 1929. Ordained deacon and tonsured a monk in 1955, he took the name Gabriel in honor of St. Gabriel of Mount Athos. He became widely known for his act on May 1, 1965, when, during the May Day parade in Tbilisi, he publicly set fire to a huge portrait of Lenin in front of Communist Party headquarters, for which he was severely beaten and confined to a psychiatric hospital, yet miraculously survived. Taking up the ascetic feat of foolishness for Christ's sake, Father Gabriel spent many years attached to the Samtavro Convent in Mtskheta, becoming spiritual father to its nuns and countless laypeople, renowned for clairvoyance, healings, and boundless love. His eccentric behavior concealed profound humility and holiness. He reposed on November 2, 1995. On December 20, 2012, the Georgian Orthodox Church glorified him among the venerable saints; in 2014 his name was added to the Russian Church calendar. His relics rest at Samtavro Convent.