TESTIMONIES OF HELP THROUGH THE PRAYERS OF SAINT GABRIEL URGEBADZE
“The Lord loves every person. Do not lose heart; pray, and the Lord will never abandon you.”
Saint Gabriel Urgebadze
Foreword
Every year on 2 November, the Orthodox Church prayerfully commemorates Saint Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze), one of the most widely venerated saints of our time.
His life became a living testimony to boundless love for God and for people. The elder was distinguished by extraordinary humility, mercy, profound prayer, and ardent faith. Even during his lifetime, thousands of people came to him seeking spiritual counsel, comfort, and prayerful help.
Today, many years after his blessed repose, Orthodox Christians from different parts of the world continue to testify to the help they receive through the prayers of Saint Gabriel.
Some speak of a strengthening of faith, others of peace restored within their families, the long-awaited birth of children, deliverance from illness, emotional suffering, or difficult circumstances in life.
It is important to remember that all help and healing come through the mercy of God. The saints are our intercessors and advocates before the Lord, helping everyone who turns to them with sincere faith.
For many years, Nun Maria (Glushchenko), a resident of the dependency of the Holy Dormition Convent in Kemerovo, has collected testimonies from people who received help through Saint Gabriel.
With her blessing and kind permission, we publish only a small selection of these accounts. Each story is the living testimony of a person who experienced God’s mercy after turning in prayer to Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
TESTIMONY NO. 1
The Lord Granted Our Family a Long-Awaited Child
Kursk • August 2018
The Story
In February 2018, while in Kursk, I venerated an icon of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze with deep faith and fervently prayed to the Lord to grant our family a second child.
According to the doctors, there was virtually no hope; the likelihood of becoming pregnant was extremely small.
But the Lord willed otherwise.
That very same month, I received the joyful news that I was expecting a child.
Words cannot express the gratitude that filled our hearts. We received this as a great mercy of God granted to our family through the prayers of Saint Gabriel.
With gratitude to the Lord, we awaited the birth of our son, which was expected shortly before the feast day of our beloved saint.
“With all our hearts, we thanked the Lord for His mercy and for the prayerful intercession of Saint Gabriel.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Ekaterina Alexandrovna.
August 2018.
TESTIMONY NO. 2
Unexpected Deliverance from Years of Pain
August 2018
The Story
From the depths of my heart, I thank God for the opportunity to receive oil blessed at the honourable relics of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
For a long time, I suffered from severe pain in my lower back. Treatment brought only temporary relief, and the pain always returned.
After receiving the blessed oil, I prayed to the Lord with deep faith, asking for help through Saint Gabriel’s prayers, and reverently anointed myself with it once.
Soon, something happened that I had not expected at all.
The pain disappeared completely.
It has never returned since.
“With profound gratitude, I glorify the Lord for His mercy and for the prayerful intercession of Saint Gabriel.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of the servant of God Anna.
August 2018.
TESTIMONY NO. 3
After Many Years of Waiting, the Lord Heard Our Prayers
Kursk • August 2018
The Story
For a long time, my husband and I dreamed of becoming parents.
However, because of serious health problems, I was unable to become pregnant.
When a fragrant icon of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze was brought to Kursk, I learned of it entirely by chance.
Every day, I went to the church, venerated the holy icon, and prayed to the Lord with tears, asking Him through Saint Gabriel’s prayers to grant our family a child.
By God’s mercy, a true miracle occurred that very month: I learned that I was expecting a baby.
For our family, this was an immense joy and the answer to many years of prayer.
Today, with gratitude to the Lord, we await the birth of our son and glorify Him every day for the mercy He has shown us.
“Nothing is impossible for God when a person prays with sincere faith and hope.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Olga.
August 2018.
TESTIMONY NO. 4
A Dream That Brought Hope
Kursk • 19 August 2018
The Story
My daughter’s eyesight had deteriorated seriously.
While in church, she venerated the icon of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze and prayed to the Lord together with me.
That same night, she had an extraordinarily bright dream.
She saw Saint Gabriel, who embraced her with great love, and she embraced him tightly in return.
After this, my daughter’s vision gradually began to improve.
For our family, this became a great consolation and yet another testimony that the Lord does not abandon those who turn to Him in faith through the prayers of His saints.
“May God’s will be done in all things. The Lord knows what is beneficial for every person.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of the servant of God Elena.
Kursk, 19 August 2018.
TESTIMONY NO. 5
After Five Years of Waiting, the Lord Granted Our Family the Joy of Parenthood
Pilgrimage to Samtavro Monastery • August 2018
The Story
At the beginning of 2018, my sister gave me a small icon of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze and some blessed oil. From that day on, they became a special reminder to me of the need for unceasing prayer.
Every day, I prayed to the Lord, asking through the prayers of Saint Gabriel and all the saints that He might grant my daughter Alexandra and her husband Oleg the long-awaited joy of parenthood.
In May, our family made a pilgrimage to Georgia. We visited Samtavro Monastery, where the honourable relics of Saint Gabriel rest. With particular reverence, we prayed at his holy relics, asking the saint to intercede before the Lord and obtain the gift of a child for our children.
The Lord heard our prayers.
Very soon, we received the joyful news for which we had waited so long. After five years of waiting, our daughter told us that she was expecting a child.
It is difficult to express the gratitude felt by our entire family. We received this as a great mercy of God granted through the prayers of Saint Gabriel.
If it is God’s holy will, our family will welcome a new little person in February.
“With all our hearts, we thank the Lord for His endless mercy and Saint Gabriel for his prayerful intercession before God.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of the servant of God Neonila.
August 2018.
TESTIMONY NO. 6
When the Lord Revealed the True Cause of an Illness
September 2018
The Story
I wish to thank the Lord and Saint Gabriel Urgebadze with all my heart for the prayerful help I received during one of the most difficult periods of my life.
For nearly two weeks, I suffered from severe headaches and toothache. I visited doctors repeatedly, but the cause remained unknown, and the prescribed treatment brought no relief.
When an icon of Saint Gabriel was brought to our city, my mother and I went to the church to pray to the Lord and ask for the saint’s intercession.
The very next day, what we had been waiting for finally happened.
The doctors discovered the true cause of my suffering: a large abscess had opened on my gum. It turned out that the severe pain had been caused by a cyst that had not previously been detected.
I then received the necessary medical care without delay, and the pain gradually disappeared.
For me, this was not only deliverance from suffering, but also a great spiritual consolation.
“With profound gratitude, I glorify the Lord for His mercy and thank Saint Gabriel for his prayerful intercession. I ask him not to abandon me and my loved ones in his holy prayers.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of the servant of God Vera.
September 2018.
TESTIMONY NO. 7
My Son’s First Words
Zheleznogorsk, Kursk Region • September 2018
The Story
Glory to God for all things!
When my son was three and a half years old, he hardly spoke at all.
We consulted doctors many times, but the specialists found no serious disorder. They advised us simply to wait, assuring us that his speech would begin to develop once he started nursery school.
But a mother’s heart remained anxious.
One day, I learned that an icon of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze had been brought to our city.
I went to the church with my children to pray.
By God’s mercy, I was able to speak with Nun Maria. She listened carefully, explained how to pray properly to Saint Gabriel, and blessed me to anoint the child with holy oil.
With faith, I followed everything I had been told, continued going to church, and asked the Lord for help through the saint’s prayers.
After some time, we began to notice the first changes.
My son started pronouncing words he had never been able to say before. Then short sentences appeared, and his vocabulary grew richer each day.
Although his speech was not yet perfectly clear, we could plainly see that he was developing steadily.
For our family, this became an immense joy and a great strengthening of faith.
“With all my heart, I thank the Lord for His mercy and believe that our family received this help through the prayers of Saint Gabriel.”
Glory to God for all things!
Holy Father Gabriel, pray to God for us!
From the testimony of the servant of God Ksenia.
Zheleznogorsk, Kursk Region. September 2018.
TESTIMONY NO. 8
A Healing That Strengthened Faith
Kemerovo • October 2018
The Story
My name is Lia Gavrilovna Fomina. I serve as a reader at the Church of All Saints in Kemerovo.
For many years, I suffered from a severe condition affecting my legs. Trophic ulcers caused constant pain, and the severe swelling of my feet made even ordinary walking extremely difficult.
Putting my hope only in God’s mercy, I read the Akathist to Saint Gabriel Urgebadze with deep faith and fervently asked for his prayerful intercession before the Lord.
That same evening, I again turned to the saint in prayer and reverently anointed the affected areas with oil blessed at his honourable relics.
When I awoke the next morning, I noticed remarkable changes.
The ulcers had begun to close, the swelling had decreased significantly, and a few days later the wounds had healed completely.
For me, this was not only deliverance from years of suffering, but also a profound strengthening of faith.
“With profound gratitude, I glorify the Lord for His mercy and thank Saint Gabriel for his prayerful intercession. For me, this became a great spiritual consolation.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Lia Gavrilovna Fomina,
reader at the Church of All Saints, Kemerovo.
October 2018.
TESTIMONY NO. 9
The Prayer of Parents and the Mercy of God
The Healing of a Young Child
Kursk • September 2018
The Story
An event occurred in our family that, even today, we receive with profound gratitude as a special mercy of God granted through the prayers of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
For a long time, our young child suffered from a severe allergy. Despite treatment and all the doctors’ efforts, the illness did not recede. The rash became progressively worse and eventually turned into painful, weeping sores that caused our little one constant suffering.
It was extremely painful to witness.
With no other hope, we turned to the Lord with all our hearts in fervent prayer, asking for help through the prayers of Saint Gabriel.
After praying, we reverently anointed the affected areas with oil blessed at his honourable relics.
By the next day, the sores had begun to dry noticeably.
One day later, the child’s skin was completely clear.
Our gratitude cannot be expressed in words.
We received what happened as God’s mercy and an answer to our family’s sincere prayer.
“Glory to God for all things! We thank Saint Gabriel for his prayerful intercession and ask him not to abandon our family in his holy prayers.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of a family from Kursk.
September 2018.
TESTIMONY NO. 10
When the Lord Freed a Man from a Destructive Addiction
Help for a Family Through the Prayers of Saint Gabriel
Zheleznogorsk • November 2018
The Story
My name is Raisa.
I live in Zheleznogorsk.
When the honourable relics of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze were brought to our city, I prayed to the Lord almost without ceasing.
I had one principal request.
Through the saint’s prayers, I asked the Lord to help my husband overcome his severe addiction to alcohol and to preserve our family.
Every day was filled with anxiety.
Until then, my husband had consumed alcohol daily, and not a single evening passed without drinking.
But something happened that I had never expected.
The very next day, my husband himself said that he wanted to go to church and venerate the honourable relics of Saint Gabriel.
After visiting the church, he admitted that he felt a complete aversion to alcohol.
From that day onward, the desire to drink disappeared.
Gradually, our family life began to change.
Peace, hope, and mutual understanding returned to our home.
Our entire family received this as a great manifestation of God’s mercy.
“With all our hearts, we thank the Lord for His mercy, Saint Gabriel for his prayerful intercession, and everyone who gave us the opportunity to venerate his honourable relics for this great spiritual gift.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Raisa.
Zheleznogorsk. November 2018.
TESTIMONY NO. 11
“The Lord Heard Our Prayers…”
The Story of Irakli Gogoladze’s Family
Georgia
The Story
Irakli Gogoladze first visited Samtavro Monastery while he was still a schoolboy.
At that time, Saint Gabriel Urgebadze had not yet been formally glorified among the saints, but many pilgrims were already coming to his resting place.
It was then that Irakli first experienced an extraordinary spiritual joy and profound inner peace.
The nuns of the monastery gave him oil from the lamp burning at the elder’s grave and explained how to use this holy item with prayer and reverence.
Some time passed.
A severe trial befell the family.
Irakli’s father became seriously ill with psoriasis.
The illness progressed rapidly, treatment brought almost no result, and his condition was later complicated by a heart attack.
The doctors said that many months of treatment lay ahead.
Remembering Saint Gabriel, Irakli took the blessed oil, went to the hospital, anointed his father with it in the sign of the Cross, and fervently prayed to the Lord for help through the saint’s prayers.
The next morning, something happened that remained forever in the memory of the entire family.
During the examination, the doctors found that the patient’s skin had cleared completely.
The medical staff were genuinely astonished, and according to eyewitnesses, the attending physician was visibly moved and thanked God.
Later, Irakli’s father described an extraordinary dream.
During the night, an elderly priest with a grey beard appeared to him.
With love, he said that the prayers of his wife and son had been heard.
The elder urged him to change his life, attend church more frequently, confess, receive Holy Communion, and live a full life within the Church.
After these words, he blessed the sick man with the sign of the Cross.
Later, when he saw a photograph of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze, the father immediately recognised him as the very priest he had seen in his dream.
For the entire family, this event became not only a testimony of help through Saint Gabriel’s prayers, but also the beginning of a new spiritual life.
“Glory to God for all things! May the Lord not abandon us through the prayers of Saint Gabriel.”
Glory to God for all things!
Retold from the testimony of Irakli Gogoladze.
25 January 2016.
TESTIMONY NO. 12
“I Am Waiting for You at Samtavro”
The Story of Elena Getsadze
Tbilisi • Georgia
The Story
This story happened to Elena Getsadze, a resident of Tbilisi, and changed her family’s life forever.
At the beginning of 2010, her younger son suddenly became unwell during lessons at school.
The boy was rushed to hospital.
When Elena saw how serious her son’s condition was, the shock was so overwhelming that she lost consciousness.
When she came to herself, she saw an elderly priest in black vestments standing nearby.
He calmly spoke only a few words:
“I am waiting for you at Samtavro.”
At the time, Elena attached no special importance to these words and assumed that he was one of the hospital priests.
Some time later, the examination brought a terrible diagnosis.
The child had a malignant brain tumour with metastases.
The doctors admitted that they could not provide the necessary treatment and advised the family to find a way to send the boy abroad as quickly as possible.
Overcome by despair, Elena one day happened to see a photograph of the man she had encountered after losing consciousness.
To her profound astonishment, she recognised Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
She then remembered his mysterious words and understood that she had to go to Samtavro Monastery.
Together with her son, she went to the honourable relics of Saint Gabriel.
With tears, she prayed to the Lord, asking Him through the saint’s prayers to grant healing to the child.
The next day, the boy underwent another examination.
The results astonished even the most experienced doctors.
A repeat CT scan revealed no signs of the tumour or metastases.
The new findings were completely different from the earlier examinations.
When Elena heard the doctors’ conclusion, she again lost consciousness.
Once more, she saw Saint Gabriel, who lovingly blessed her and her son with the sign of the Cross.
After these events, the family’s life changed completely.
They began attending church regularly, participating in the Sacraments, and thanking the Lord daily for His ineffable mercy.
The Akathist to Saint Gabriel Urgebadze came to hold a special place in their prayers at home.
“This story reminds each of us that the Lord acts according to His holy will, and that Saint Gabriel remains to this day a loving man of prayer and intercessor for all who turn to God in faith.”
Glory to God for all things!
Retold from the testimony of Elena Getsadze.
TESTIMONY NO. 13
Hope That Overcame Despair
The Story of Little Tato
Georgia
The Story
Our son Tato was born with a serious condition: hydrocephalus.
A tragic error occurred during childbirth, as a result of which the child suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. At only four months old, he underwent his first operation. Unfortunately, complications arose during surgery, requiring another operation only a few days later.
Over the following years, Tato underwent several more operations and many difficult medical procedures.
The boy was unable to move independently.
Later, his condition became even more complicated: a brain cyst began growing rapidly, epilepsy developed, and episodes of loss of consciousness occurred twenty or more times a day.
The doctors said that the possibilities of modern medicine had been almost completely exhausted.
A time of severe trial began for our family.
It was then that we heard about Saint Gabriel Urgebadze and learned that many people travelled to his resting place at Samtavro Monastery to ask the Lord for help in prayer.
Our entire family went there.
As we approached the saint’s grave, something wholly unexpected occurred.
Tato, who usually sat quietly in his wheelchair, suddenly became visibly animated.
We carefully placed him on the ground.
For the first time in his life, the child began to move on his own.
He crawled towards Saint Gabriel’s resting place, touched it with his hands, then bowed his head and remained in prayerful silence for a long time.
For us, this became an immense spiritual consolation.
After returning home, we continued to pray to the Lord every day, reciting the Lord’s Prayer and reverently anointing our son’s head with blessed oil from the saint’s grave.
A few days later, Tato stood on his feet by himself for the first time and took his first steps.
His condition continued to improve gradually.
He learned to embrace his parents, kiss his loved ones, walk independently, and move about with confidence.
Today, we remember everything we endured with profound gratitude and continually thank the Lord for the mercy shown to our family through the prayers of Saint Gabriel.
“For our family, this became a great consolation and strengthening of faith. Glory to God for all things!”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Gogita Murtskhvaladze.
Georgia.
TESTIMONY NO. 14
First Independent Steps After Nineteen Years
Rustavi • Georgia
The Story
My son has suffered from a severe form of cerebral palsy since birth.
For nineteen years, he could not even drink water without assistance.
When our family received a holy item—oil blessed at the resting place of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze—we began turning to the Lord in prayer with faith and using this holy oil reverently.
In time, the long-awaited changes began to appear.
For the first time, our son was able to rise from his chair on his own.
Then he took his first independent steps.
Even today, his condition continues gradually to improve.
For our family, this became a great consolation and a strengthening of hope.
“We thank the Lord for His mercy and Saint Gabriel for his prayerful intercession.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Ekaterina Niauri.
Rustavi.
TESTIMONY NO. 15
“Pray, and You Will See God’s Help”
The Story of Pelagia Tatarashvili
Saguramo • Georgia
The Story
Doctors discovered a fibroma and uterine fibroid and were preparing me for surgery.
Because of the illness, my tongue would periodically become numb, which caused me great anxiety.
A relative brought me oil from the resting place of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
I began using this holy oil.
During the first few days, I felt some relief.
However, when the symptoms returned, I became discouraged.
I decided that the oil was not helping me and put it aside.
That same night, I had an extraordinary dream.
I saw an elderly priest with a large grey beard.
He gently asked:
“You say the oil is not helping. But have you prayed? Pray, and you will see God’s help. You say that you believe, but where is your prayer?”
When I awoke, I thought deeply about the words I had heard.
From that day onward, I began praying to the Lord every day and once again used the blessed oil with reverence.
In time, the illness receded.
Subsequent examinations showed a significant improvement in my condition.
What I experienced taught me that faith must always be joined with sincere prayer and trust in God’s will.
“The Lord strengthens those who turn to Him with hope and prayer.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Pelagia Tatarashvili.
Saguramo.
TESTIMONY NO. 16
A Mother’s Prayer for Her Son
Tbilisi
The Story
My son suddenly became gravely ill.
He lost his hearing and sight and suffered from extremely severe headaches.
Soon, he could no longer get out of bed without assistance.
In search of help, I went to the monastery where Saint Gabriel Urgebadze rests.
At his grave, I fervently prayed to the Lord and took some blessed oil home with me.
After returning home, I recited the Lord’s Prayer every day and reverently anointed my son’s head in the sign of the Cross.
After some time, his condition began to improve.
Gradually, the illness receded.
Today, my son lives an ordinary life and drives a car independently.
Our family receives everything that happened as a great mercy of God.
“Glory to the Lord God for His ineffable mercy!”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of the servant of God A.
Tbilisi.
TESTIMONY NO. 17
The Prayers of Parents and Help for Their Child
Tbilisi
The Story
For a long time, our child suffered from nocturnal enuresis.
Every night, we had to wake him several times.
We began praying to the Lord daily, asking for help through the prayers of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
We reverently anointed the child with blessed oil and, with a blessing, gave him a small amount to take.
After some time, the condition disappeared.
For our family, this became a great joy and another reason to thank the Lord for His mercy.
“Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of a family from Tbilisi.
TESTIMONY NO. 18
When Hope Remained Only in God
The Story of Nanuli Bandzeladze
Rustavi • Georgia
The Story
After surgery for a malignant illness, doctors discovered serious complications.
Subsequent examinations indicated severe damage to my spine.
For several months, I was confined to bed.
Continuing treatment required large sums of money that our family did not have.
We then decided to entrust our lives completely to the Lord.
We turned to Him in prayer, asking for help through the prayers of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze, and reverently used oil from his resting place.
In time, my condition began to improve.
Gradually, I was able to stand again and return to my usual life, caring for my family.
What I experienced became a great testimony to God’s mercy and a strengthening of faith.
“Give thanks to the Lord in all things, for His mercy endures forever.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Nanuli Bandzeladze.
Rustavi.
TESTIMONY NO. 19
The Gift of New Life
The Story of Maria Kvitsiani
Tbilisi
The Story
During the third month of pregnancy, an examination revealed a serious abnormality.
Doctors discovered a cystic growth in the baby’s abdominal area.
The case was considered extremely serious.
I was strongly advised to terminate the pregnancy.
But a mother’s heart could not agree to this.
I began regularly visiting the resting place of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze, fervently praying to the Lord and reverently using the blessed oil.
The pregnancy continued.
When the time for the birth arrived, the child was born completely healthy.
This became a great joy for our family.
Even the medical staff were genuinely astonished by the outcome.
We, however, thanked above all the Lord, who in His mercy granted us this great happiness.
“All things are possible with God, and every good gift comes according to His holy will.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Maria Kvitsiani.
Tbilisi.
TESTIMONY NO. 20
The Lord Granted Relief After Long Suffering
The Story of Makvala Davitashvili
Tbilisi • Georgia
The Story
For a long time, I suffered from a severe skin condition: psoriasis.
Ulcers covered almost my entire body and caused constant pain. I could not even lie on my back.
One day, a neighbour brought me a small amount of oil blessed at the resting place of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
With faith, I began turning to the Lord, asking for help through the saint’s prayers, and reverently anointed the affected areas.
After several days, my condition began to improve.
After the fourth anointing, my skin had cleared completely.
For me, this became a great joy and yet another testimony to God’s mercy.
“The Lord never abandons a person who turns to Him in prayer with hope.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Makvala Davitashvili.
Tbilisi.
TESTIMONY NO. 21
A Return to Life
The Story of Ramaz Kobakhidze
Kutaisi • Georgia
The Story
A severe illness had almost deprived me of all strength.
The doctors diagnosed cirrhosis of the liver.
My condition was so serious that I was carried on a stretcher directly from the hospital to Samtavro Monastery, to the resting place of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
There, I was carefully laid beside his grave.
After some time, something happened that no one had expected.
I rose to my feet without assistance and was able to sit near a tree close by.
For the first time in a long while, I felt hungry and asked for some food and water.
From that day onward, my condition gradually began to improve.
In time, my health was restored, and today I feel well.
I receive everything that happened as God’s mercy shown through the prayers of Saint Gabriel.
“I thank the Lord for His ineffable mercy and for the intercession of Saint Gabriel.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Ramaz Kobakhidze.
Kutaisi.
TESTIMONY NO. 22
Surgery Was No Longer Necessary
The Story of Tamta Gugushvili’s Family
Tbilisi • Georgia
The Story
Our thirteen-year-old son had a serious eye condition.
His sight gradually deteriorated and reached a severe degree of short-sightedness.
The doctors said that the condition was continuing to progress and recommended another complex operation, which would have been his fourth.
The child himself categorically refused surgery.
We were then advised to pray to Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
We travelled to Samtavro Monastery, where we reverently anointed our son’s eyelids with blessed oil, and we continued doing so at home while praying to the Lord every day.
Two weeks later, the child underwent another examination.
After examining him, the doctor reported with astonishment that surgery was no longer required.
According to the specialists, the progression of the illness had stopped and the condition of the eye had improved significantly.
For our family, this became a great joy and a strengthening of faith.
“Glory to the Lord for the mercy shown to our family through the prayers of Saint Gabriel.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Tamta Gugushvili.
Tbilisi.
TESTIMONY NO. 23
A Swelling Disappeared After Family Prayer
The Story of Jenet Menabdishvili
Kaspi • Georgia
The Story
For two years, my child had a painful swelling at the back of his head that resembled a fluid-filled sac.
It caused constant pain.
The boy could not even touch the affected area.
During a pilgrimage, I took a little soil and oil from the resting place of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
That evening, after our family prayer, I reverently anointed the affected area.
The next morning, something unexpected happened.
The swelling had disappeared completely.
Not even a trace remained.
We received this as a special mercy of God and glorified the Lord with gratitude.
“May the Lord not abandon us through the prayers of Saint Gabriel.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Jenet Menabdishvili.
Kaspi.
TESTIMONY NO. 24
Deliverance from Severe Pain
The Story of Gocha Tsurtsumia
Tbilisi • Georgia
The Story
While passing a kidney stone, I experienced extremely severe pain.
Because of intense spasms, I lost control of my arms and legs.
Although I had never personally known Saint Gabriel Urgebadze, I firmly believed that the Lord could grant help through the saint’s prayers.
I asked for a little oil blessed at his resting place.
After praying, I took it with faith.
Soon, my condition changed dramatically.
The stone passed without agonising pain, and I was able to stand on my feet without assistance.
For me, this became a great consolation and testimony to God’s mercy.
“In every trial, a person is strengthened by hope in the Lord.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Gocha Tsurtsumia.
Tbilisi.
TESTIMONY NO. 25
Unexpected Improvement After a Serious Illness
The Story of Tamaz Chochia
Samtredia • Georgia
The Story
After treatment for a serious illness of the larynx, my condition remained extremely grave.
Numerous examinations showed severe changes in the tissues.
The doctors continued to monitor me, carried out the necessary tests, and did not conceal the seriousness of the situation.
During this time, with deep faith, I began turning to the Lord through the prayers of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze and reverently using oil blessed at his resting place.
After some time, another examination was carried out.
To the doctors’ astonishment, my condition had changed considerably.
There was clear positive progress.
Many of the previous pathological changes could no longer be found.
Experienced specialists were invited for consultation, and they too noted the unexpected improvement.
For me and my family, this became a great spiritual consolation and a strengthening of faith in God’s mercy.
“The Lord knows the measure of every trial and, according to His holy will, grants help and consolation to each person.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Tamaz Chochia.
Samtredia.
TESTIMONY NO. 26
Hope Is Stronger Than Fear
The Story of a Young Child from Gori
Gori • August 2001
The Story
When our child was only eighteen months old, the doctors gave a grave diagnosis: lymphatic leukaemia.
For our family, this became a severe trial.
In August 2001, we travelled to Samtavro Monastery, to the resting place of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
With fervent prayer, we asked the Lord to help our little child, took some blessed oil, and continued praying at home every day, reverently anointing the child.
In time, the child’s condition began to improve.
Today, he is healthy.
For our family, this became a great joy and a reason to thank the Lord continually for His mercy.
“The Lord does not abandon those who turn to Him in prayer with faith.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Vera Makashvili.
Gori.
TESTIMONY NO. 27
When Surgery Was No Longer Necessary
The Story of Nana Tskhvedadze
Tbilisi • Georgia
The Story
My mother suffered a severe eye injury.
After examination, a medical panel scheduled surgery.
While waiting for the appointed day, my mother frequently visited the resting place of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
She prayed to the Lord, asked for the saint’s intercession, reverently anointed the affected eye with blessed oil, and took a small amount with faith.
Before the operation, repeat examinations were carried out.
To the doctors’ astonishment, the eye had recovered completely.
The operation was no longer necessary.
For our family, this became a great joy and a strengthening of hope in God’s mercy.
“With gratitude, we glorify the Lord for His help and for the prayerful intercession of Saint Gabriel.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Nana Tskhvedadze.
Tbilisi.
TESTIMONY NO. 28
Two Years of Gratitude
The Story of Rezo Bendeliani
Tbilisi • Georgia
The Story
For some time, doctors had observed elevated blood sugar levels in me.
Alongside the prescribed treatment, I began regularly turning to the Lord in prayer through the intercession of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
I often visited Samtavro Monastery, reverently used the blessed oil, and asked the Lord to strengthen me.
In time, my health indicators returned to normal.
For two years now, my blood sugar has remained stable.
Every day, I thank the Lord for His mercy and help.
“Thanksgiving to God should accompany a person throughout his entire life.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Rezo Bendeliani.
Tbilisi.
TESTIMONY NO. 29
Help During a Serious Illness
The Story of Nestan Khavtadze
Tbilisi • Georgia
The Story
At the beginning of January 2002, doctors discovered a pituitary tumour.
The illness progressed rapidly.
My condition became so serious that I could barely walk without assistance.
My relatives took me to Samtavro Monastery, to the resting place of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze.
While still there, I felt an unexpected relief and was able to return home on my own.
After that, I prayed to the Lord every day, asking for help through the prayers of Saint Gabriel, and reverently used the blessed oil.
A repeat examination was carried out in April.
According to the doctors, there were no longer any signs of the tumour.
For me, this became a great consolation and a strengthening of faith.
“In every circumstance of life, let us place our hope above all in the mercy of God.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Nestan Khavtadze.
Tbilisi.
TESTIMONY NO. 30
When Hope Came Through Prayer
The Story of Lela Tsirekidze
Tbilisi • Georgia
The Story
In the spring, doctors diagnosed me with a serious tumour-related illness.
Most specialists strongly recommended urgent surgery.
In distress, I went to the resting place of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze to pray and ask the Lord to show me the right path.
After this visit, I dreamed that Saint Gabriel was standing beside me and looking at me with a kind smile.
This dream strengthened me in faith and filled my heart with peace.
I continued visiting Samtavro regularly, praying to the Lord, and reverently using the blessed oil.
After some time, another examination was carried out.
According to the doctors, no signs of the tumour were found.
What I experienced became a profound spiritual lesson and taught me to entrust everything to God’s will.
“The Lord strengthens a person during life’s most difficult moments and grants hope to those who do not cease praying.”
Glory to God for all things!
From the testimony of Lela Tsirekidze.
