Hieromartyr Gabriel I of Serbia (Rajić)

Hieromartyr Gabriel I (born Gavrilo Rajić) was born around 1595 near Nova Varoš. He held the sees of Smederevo and Raška, restoring the Kovilje Monastery. In 1648 he was elected Serbian Patriarch of Peć, leading the Church through Ottoman oppression, traveling extensively to strengthen his flock's faith. In 1654 he journeyed to Moscow for alms, was received by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and Patriarch Nikon, and took part in the Moscow Council of 1655. Upon return he was slandered by the Turks and accused of inciting the Russian tsar to war; refusing to convert to Islam, he was tortured and executed by hanging in Bursa in 1659. He is venerated as a hieromartyr; his feast is December 13/26, with an additional commemoration in the Assembly of Serbian Saints on August 30/September 12.