Bulgarian Patriarch venerates St Gabriel Urgebadze at Samtavro Monastery

Patriarch Daniel at the Samtavro Monastery. Photo: Press service of the Bulgarian Patriarchate

Patriarch Daniel of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church during his visit to Georgia offered prayers at the relics of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze in Samtavro Monastery, reports the press service of the Bulgarian Patriarchate.

As noted, on the evening of March 22, following the memorial meal for the reposed Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church Ilia II, the Bulgarian Patriarch together with a delegation visited the historic monastery of the Transfiguration of the Lord – Samtavro in Mtskheta, the ancient capital of the country.

The sisters of the monastery welcomed the guests in the church, where the saint's relics rest, with church hymns. It is reported that Patriarch Daniel knelt in prayer at the relics of the venerable saint for the well-being and prosperity of the two sister Churches – Georgian and Bulgarian – as well as their peoples.

In his address to the abbess and sisters of the monastery, the Primate emphasized the spiritual significance of the feat of Saint Gabriel, who is widely venerated in Bulgaria as well.

After venerating the relics, the delegation visited the saint's cell, where his personal belongings, icons collected during his lifetime, as well as part of his incorrupt heart are kept. As a sign of respect, the nuns presented the Bulgarian Patriarch with an icon of Saint Gabriel.

During their stay at the monastery, the Bulgarian delegation was accompanied by Metropolitan Gregory of Poti and Khobi.

As the UOJ wrote, the Patriarch of Bulgaria and the Patriarchal Locum Tenens of Georgia discussed inter-church relations.

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