Mtskheta, Georgia, March 24, 2026
Pat. Daniil of Bulgaria and Met. Gabriel of Lovech in St. Gabriel’s cell at Samtavro Monastery. Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
His Holiness Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria and the Church delegation that accompanied him to the funeral of His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia on Sunday also went on pilgrimage to the relics of St. Gabriel (Urgebadze).
St. Gabriel’s relics are located at the Samtavro Monastery of the Transfiguration in Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia.
The sisters of the monastery, gathered in the church where the relics of St. Gabriel repose, received Patriarch Daniil, Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech, and the other members of the delegation with heartfelt hymns. The warm welcome, the prayerful atmosphere, and the love and attentiveness of the sisterhood of Samtavro left an indelible impression on the Bulgarian pilgrims, the Bulgarian Church reports.
His Holiness prayed on his knees before the incorrupt holy relics of St. Gabriel, entreating his intercession for the well-being and flourishing of the fraternal Georgian and the Bulgarian Churches and of their fraternal peoples.
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Pat. Daniil then addressed words of encouragement to the abbess and sisters of the monastery, highlighting the greatness of the spiritual feat of St. Gabriel, who is well known and deeply beloved in Bulgaria. Last November, to mark the 30th anniversary of his repose, a number of the saint’s holy relics were brought to Bulgaria for the faithful to venerate, including an icon containing his relics, his epitrachelion, mantia, hat, belt, personal icon, and a handmade cross fashioned from grapevine branches—reminiscent of the cross of St. Nina.
After venerating the holy relics in the church, the guests proceeded to the saint’s cell in the monastery tower, where his personal belongings and the icons he had gathered throughout his life are kept, along with part of his incorrupt heart.
As a mark of respect for the Bulgarian Patriarch, the sisters presented him with an icon of St. Gabriel.
The Bulgarian delegation was accompanied throughout the pilgrimage by His Metropolitan Eminence Grigoli of Poti and Khobi.
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