In Georgia, St Gabriel of Samtavro heals a Ukrainian soldier – UOC cleric

Icon of Venerable Gabriel. Photo: SPZh

Saint Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze) appeared to a Ukrainian soldier who had lost the ability to speak for almost a year following a battlefield injury – and healed him. The story was told by Archpriest Heorhii Kunitsky of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who is currently in Georgia with a group of pilgrims.

According to the priest, the miracle took place at the Samtavro Monastery on the feast day of Saint Gabriel. Among the pilgrims was a Ukrainian serviceman who had been severely wounded at the front. Because of the concussion, he had lost a leg and had been unable to speak for nearly a year.

“Yesterday, during the evening service, this soldier – worn out by his suffering – was granted to see Saint Gabriel, who came to him and said, ‘Rise and speak.’ At that very moment his mouth was opened, and he began to talk! To his own amazement, to our joy, and to the glory of God!” said Father Heorhii.

The priest added that after the evening service, the healed soldier could not stop expressing his joy, while everyone present wept and thanked the saint for the miracle.

“What happened so deeply stirred our hearts – it is an indescribable joy to be here in Samtavro and to rejoice at such a miracle we ourselves have witnessed,” emphasized Archpriest Heorhii Kunitsky.

On the saint’s feast day, the pilgrims had the honor of concelebrating in the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God at the Samtavro Monastery, with the blessing of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia.

Saint Gabriel (Urgebadze) of Samtavro (1929–1995) was a Georgian monk and wonderworker canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church in 2012. His relics rest in the Convent of St. Nino in Mtskheta.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a cross procession was held in Georgia in honor of Saint Gabriel (Urgebadze).

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