Sofia, November 18, 2025
Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
A delegation from the Georgian Orthodox Church, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph (Kikvadze) of Shemokmedi, brought relics and personal items of St. Gabriel (Urgebadze) to Bulgaria late last week, in honor of the 30th anniversary of his repose. The visit, which continues through November 24 was organized by the Darbazi Bulgarian-Georgian Spiritual and Cultural Center.
The sacred items include an icon containing holy relics of St. Gabriel, along with his epitrachelion, mantia, hat, belt, personal icon, and a handmade cross fashioned from grapevine branches similar to the cross of St. Nino, who converted Georgia in the third century, reports the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
On November 14, His Holiness Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria received the delegation at the Sofia Holy Metropolis building, where the relics were placed in the Chapel of St. Marina the Great Martyr.
“God’s grace manifested so abundantly in the life of St. Gabriel. Even during his lifetime, in a very atheistic time, he boldly witnessed with word and deed for the Lord Jesus Christ. Miracles have not ceased after his repose, which shows that he is alive and continues to intercede for all people who call upon him with faith,” the Bulgarian primate said.
Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
Eldar Urgebadze, the saint’s nephew, presented Pat. Daniil with an icon of St. Nino Equal-to-the-Apostles that was found and preserved by St. Gabriel, with a frame handmade by the saint.
That afternoon, the Georgian guests gave a public presentation, sharing their memories of the great Georgian saint. After their talks, the icon, relics, and personal belongings of St. Gabriel were carried in procession to the Nedelya Cathedral, where Hierarchical Vespers was celebrated.
The next day, Pat. Daniil celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Nedelya Cathedral together with Met. Joseph, His Grace Bishop Isaac of Velbazhd, His Grace Bishop Kliiment of Levki (vicar of the Bulgarian Diocese of the USA, Canada, and Australia), and clergy from both the Bulgarian and Georgian Orthodox Churches. In his sermon, the Patriarch recounted episodes from St. Gabriel’s life, including his monastic tonsure and ordination during the period of state atheism.
The Patriarch recounted a significant incident from St. Gabriel’s life: On May 1, 1965, Great Saturday, after celebrating the Divine Liturgy, the hieromonk heard demonstrators marking the Soviet holiday International Workers’ Day. Filled with zeal for God, he took kerosene from the church, went to the square, and set fire to a portrait of Vladimir Lenin.
Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
He was severely beaten and Moscow ordered his execution without trial. However, the Theootkos appeared to the investigator, who then showed unusual attention to the case. Despite pressure and torture, St. Gabriel denied that Church leadership had instigated his action, stating simply that people must honor God, not men. His calm tone won the respect of communist officials.
He was sent to a psychiatric hospital and diagnosed with “psychopathic personality predisposed to psychopathic crises and schizophrenic character.” The medical report noted he had attended church from age 12, fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays even while in the military, and believed everything happens by God’s will, concluding he was “absolutely uncritical of his condition.” He was discharged in November 1965.
Pat. Daniil noted that at a time when many suffered and lost their lives merely for mentioning God’s name, St. Gabriel held Christ’s name high and witnessed to the faith and spiritual life as a bright light in Soviet society. He taught: “It’s necessary to learn to love, to acquire love. True happiness can come when we learn to love. In the last times, people will be saved through humility and works of active love.”
The relics remained at the cathedral until the evening of November 15, then traveled to Bachkovo Monastery, where Met. Joseph celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning. The monastery church was filled beyond capacity with Orthodox Christians venerating the relics.
The relics will continue to travel throughout Bulgaria for another week.
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