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About Us
Everyone looks for something to rely on – in faith, in meaningful work, and in other people. For us, that source of strength has been Saint Gabriel (Urgebadze), Archimandrite and Confessor: a man of prayer, an ascetic of great devotion, and an extraordinary elder known and loved throughout the Orthodox world.
His life is an example of love for God and for others, while his teachings and miraculous help continue to strengthen thousands of people who turn to him in prayer. In the most difficult circumstances, when all hope seems to be fading, Saint Gabriel becomes an unseen helper, bringing peace and clarity to the soul.
It was this spiritual radiance that inspired us to make regular journeys to Saint Gabriel (Urgebadze). With every visit, we became more deeply convinced that the Lord had abundantly granted this great ascetic the gifts of spiritual insight and fervent prayer for others. Saint Gabriel saw not only the outward circumstances of a person’s life, but also the condition of the soul, revealing with remarkable accuracy the innermost concerns that no one else could have known.
Through his prayers, many people received – and continue to receive – healing from serious illnesses, relief from spiritual sorrow, renewed strength in faith, and help in seemingly hopeless situations. Even after his blessed repose, the saint continues to show mercy: thousands of pilgrims testify to miraculous help, comfort, and healing received through his prayerful intercession before the Lord.
Saint Gabriel’s greatest gift was not only his extraordinary spiritual insight or the many miracles associated with him, but above all his boundless love for God and for every human being. He taught that true strength is found in humility, repentance, and love, and through his own life he gave an example of complete trust in Divine Providence. This is why people from all over the world still come with reverence to venerate his holy relics and ask for his prayerful help, receiving spiritual strength, renewed hope, and grace-filled consolation.
The Beginning of Our Journey
Our story began in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2000. From the very first day, we set ourselves a clear goal: to help people with disabilities feel that they are not alone, to give them opportunities to discover their talents and find meaning through work and creativity, and, above all, to encounter a living faith.
We believe that physical limitations should never prevent anyone from living a full spiritual life, experiencing the joy of creating, or taking part in the lives of others. Over the years, we have grown from a small initiative group into an organisation that brings together dozens of like-minded people for whom serving their neighbour is not merely a duty, but a heartfelt calling.
Pilgrimages to Georgia, to the resting place of Father Gabriel, hold a special place in our work. For more than twenty years, we have made these journeys regularly, and each one has become a true pilgrimage of the soul.
We see how people are transformed when they encounter the holy places: burdens are lifted, peace enters the heart, and faith begins to grow where it once seemed to have disappeared. We ourselves have witnessed miracles on many occasions – healings, solutions to difficulties that had persisted for years, and renewed strength in the most challenging circumstances of life.
These grace-filled events confirm that Saint Gabriel hears everyone who turns to him in faith, and that his intercession before God is a profound source of comfort for us all.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.”
(Matthew 25:40)
Sometimes the Lord leads a person to a place they would never have dared to go on their own.
This is how works of mercy are born.
Not according to a carefully prepared plan. Not for recognition or acclaim. But because one day another person’s pain becomes your own, and the desire to help proves stronger than any circumstance.
This is how the journey of the Orthodox Association for People with Disabilities NiKa began.
The Beginning of Our Journey
In 2010, a small group of like-minded people came together with a simple but deeply important purpose: to stand beside those who especially needed care, support, and human involvement.
From the very beginning, we wanted to do more than help people with disabilities deal with everyday challenges.
We wanted every person to feel needed and loved, and never to be left alone with their trials.
Gradually, a large family began to grow around this shared mission—a family united by faith, mutual support, and the desire to serve others.
The Saint Who Inspired Thousands of Hearts
Saint Gabriel Urgebadze, the venerable confessor and archimandrite, holds a special place in the life of our project.
His life became for us a living example of the power of love joined with deep faith.
The elder never divided people into the healthy and the sick, the strong and the weak, the rich and the poor.
To him, every person was a priceless image of God, worthy of love, care, and respect.
This understanding of the human person became one of the spiritual foundations of our ministry.
Our Ministry
Over time, the work of the NiKa Association expanded.
We began organising pilgrimages to the holy sites of Georgia, helping people encounter the spiritual heritage of this ancient Orthodox land and venerate the sacred relics of Saint Gabriel.
Charitable projects followed, along with support programmes for people with disabilities and cooperation with Orthodox monasteries and workshops.
Later, another area of our ministry emerged: making icons and Orthodox holy items blessed at the sacred relics of Saint Gabriel available to believers.
For many years, people from countries around the world have testified that when they turn to the Lord with sincere faith through the prayers of Saint Gabriel, they receive spiritual comfort, strength, help in times of trial, and, by God’s mercy, healing of both soul and body.
For us, therefore, every icon blessed at the saint’s relics is not merely an Orthodox holy item, but a quiet reminder of unceasing prayer, hope, and God’s love accompanying a person throughout life.
What Unites Everything We Do
At first glance, pilgrimages, charitable work, Orthodox holy items, and support for people with disabilities may seem like entirely different areas of activity.
For us, however, they are inseparable.
They are united by one purpose.
To help a person draw closer to God, find hope, feel supported, and understand that even in the most difficult circumstances, they are not alone.
That is why each new project is born not from a desire to expand our activities, but from a wish to bring a little more goodness, love, and light into people’s lives.
We Believe
We believe that mercy begins with simple human involvement.
That sincere prayer can strengthen the human heart.
That a pilgrimage can change a life.
That a kindness shown to one person becomes a blessing for many.
And that the Lord often works the greatest miracles through small acts of love.
We Are Grateful
Over the years of our ministry, the Lord has brought thousands of people into our lives.
Some have joined us on pilgrimage.
Some have entrusted us with prayer requests.
Some have received a holy item.
Some have supported a charitable programme.
And some have simply told another person about our project.
Each of you has become part of this shared story.
For this, we give thanks to God.
Looking to the Future with Hope
We do not know what tomorrow will bring.
But we do know this.
As long as there are people willing to show compassion, offer help, pray for one another, and do good for the sake of Christ, our ministry will continue.
We will continue supporting people with disabilities, developing charitable projects, organising pilgrimages, preserving the spiritual heritage of Georgia’s holy sites, and doing everything possible to help more people encounter the living Orthodox faith.
If the Lord has brought you to this website, then you too have now become part of this story.
Welcome.
May the Lord bless you through the prayers of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze, the venerable confessor.
Our Projects – Faith in Action
Today, the NiKa Association is more than an organisation. It is an entire family of workshops, studios, and creative spaces where everyone can find meaningful work suited to their gifts. All our projects share the following aims:
- the social and vocational rehabilitation of people with disabilities;
- the development of their abilities;
- an introduction to Orthodox culture;
- the cultivation of mercy.
We believe that genuine help does not mean doing everything for a person, but creating the conditions in which they can create, work, and contribute through their own efforts.
The NiKa Art Workshop is a place where objects are created with prayer. Here we make church furnishings, icons, icon cases, folding icons, crosses, Orthodox souvenirs, and prayer ropes.
Each item is more than an object; it carries a part of our shared faith and dedication. We are pleased to fulfil orders for churches and private customers because we know that every sacred image and every item will bring light and serve as a reminder of God.
The NiKa Web Studio opens the way into the digital world, where good words and meaningful work can be heard far beyond a single city. We create websites and develop designs, logos, and graphic materials for Orthodox and social projects.
We help present information about charitable work, pilgrimages, and spiritual education in an accessible and attractive way. It matters to us that the internet should carry not only entertainment, but also constructive and inspiring messages.
The NiKa Photography Studio is more than a place where photographs are created. It is our ministry of remembrance—an effort to preserve moments in which earthly life touches eternity. Through the camera lens, we seek to see and convey the beauty of Orthodox life, the power of prayer, the sincerity of human emotion, and the unseen work of God’s grace.
For us, every photograph is a testimony to living faith, the warmth of family traditions, and the grace of worship. We print photographs and create calendars, postcards, and commemorative albums so that these images remain with people for years and remind them of the most important moments of their lives.
These projects are not simply a list of services. They are our way of showing that a person with a disability can be an artist, a designer, a photographer, or a missionary. What matters most is giving that person confidence and support along the way.
Our Partners and Like-Minded Friends
We firmly believe that every good work becomes possible only through shared purpose and mutual support. We are deeply grateful to the Andcross Pilgrimage, Spiritual and Educational Centre, which has worked side by side with us for many years.
Without your involvement, heartfelt responsiveness, and constant support, many of our projects would never have become a reality. Thanks to you, we are able to organise pilgrimages, provide materials for our workshops, share information about our work, and, most importantly, bring hope and joy to people.
Your work is a living testimony to Christian love. We pray for you and wish you God’s help in every good endeavour.
We Welcome Cooperation!
If you share our values and feel close to the mission of serving people with disabilities and preserving Orthodox traditions, we invite you to become part of our extended family.
We are grateful for every form of support, whether participation in our projects, volunteer assistance, help in sharing information, or simply a warm word spoken at the right moment. Together, we can help ensure that goodness does not run dry and that the light of faith illuminates the path of everyone who needs it.
May the Lord save and bless everyone who is already with us, and everyone who is only now preparing to join us!
Our Organisation Details
The NIKA Association for People with Disabilities is registered in Estonia and works to support people and develop social, charitable, spiritual, and educational initiatives.
Our organisation supports projects founded on the principles of mercy, mutual assistance, love for one’s neighbour, and the preservation of spiritual values. We welcome cooperation with private individuals, public organisations, and everyone willing to participate in socially important and charitable initiatives.
We are sincerely grateful to everyone who supports our work. Through our shared efforts, charitable initiatives can be brought to life, spiritual and educational projects can grow, and help can reach those who need it.
Registration number: 80307400
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Bank details:
Bank: AS LHV Pank
IBAN: EE277700771003906838
BIC/SWIFT: LHVBEE22
Blessing
from the monastery
