Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church By the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Ananias of Manglisi and Tetri-Tskaro Akathist to Our Venerable and God-Bearing Father Gabriel Holy venerable, confessor and Fool-for-Christ Archimandrite Gabriel, pray to God for us! In the end days a man will be saved by love, humility and kindness. Kindness will open the gates of heaven; humility will lead into heaven; a man, whose heart is filled with love, will see God. Venerable Confessor and Fool-for-Christ Gabriel Troparion As the Master Christ hid His divinity, * clothing it in humanity, * and, unseen by us, brought into being His ineffable glory, * likewise didst thou hide thy glory by means of foolishness, * and by the wonder of thy confession wast shown forth as a shepherd of souls, * O venerable Father Gabriel, * entreat Christ God to have mercy on our souls. Kontakion Immeasurable is the mercy of God, * by Whose goodness we behold His creation divinized * O venerable father, thou didst confirm in thyself the image of thy Creator * and exalted thy being to the likeness of God, * therefore we glorify thee O Father Gabriel, * for thou art worthy of all praise, * thou wast on earth a trumpet of righteousness, a preacher of love and dove of purity,* and thine all-wondrous humility * hast opened to the world a treasury of wisdom, * and now in heaven art thou, the advocate of God’s mercy and our salvation. Magnification We bless thee, O venerable father Gabriel, and we honor thy holy memory, thou instructor of monks and converser with angels. Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. Bow. O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and dwell within us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One. Bow. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Thrice, with bows. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Bow. O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, forgive our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name’s sake. Lord, have mercy. Thrice Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Bow. Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen. Lord, have mercy. 12 times. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Bow. O come, let us worship God, our King. Bow. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and God. Bow. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God. Bow. Psalm 50 Creed Begin Akathist Kontakion 1 We praise thy life and miracles unceasingly with song, O all-praised Father Gabriel, for thou hast shown forth as a great luminary of Iberia, and now in heartfelt supplication we earnestly cry to thee, for thou art our all-powerful protector and mediator before the Lord, look down upon us, holy father, and protect us who are in sorrow and temptations, and with thy fatherly boldness defend us from sickness and misfortune, propitiate for us the all-powerful God that He keep us from wandering along sinful paths, and deliver from evil those who praise and chant to thee: Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Ikos 1 As the Lord revealed the prophets to Israel as denouncers of evil and advocates before God, Christ blessed thee for great works, having beheld thine boundless heart. Thou wast revealed to us as a Fool-for-Christ, teacher, intercessor, and a rebuker of this iniquitous age and its generation. Wherefore from youth wast thou devoted to the service of God for the sake of our salvation, delivering us from sinful passions and danger. Even after thy holy death thou persistently fulfillest thy vow, warmly caring for those who come to thee, and as an eagle gives shelter beneath its wings thou dost help those in sadness and sorrow and those tormented by evil spirits, and generously thou bestowest healings on those who cry to thee: Rejoice, thou who didst from youth love meekness and humility. Rejoice, vigilant guardian of the purity of body and soul. Rejoice, chosen vessel of holiness. Rejoice, thou who from youth wast a great bearer of the mysteries of the Almighty. Rejoice, double-edged sword of God destroying the danger of unbelief. Rejoice, champion of truth and strengthener of those weak in faith. Rejoice, all-wondrous preacher of love. Rejoice, counselor of repentant sinners. Rejoice, true servant of Christ the Savior in the struggle against the enemies of God. Rejoice, radiant pillar of the last times. Rejoice, great archimandrite and elder, spiritual father of Ιberia. Rejoice, messenger from above who atoned for thy people. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 2 The enemies of the true faith who seized power in our land persecuted the Church of Christ and its flock, and only chosen people were able to endure such a trial, those who were unshakable confessors of the faith. But thou, although a son of unbelievers, wast a God-chosen vessel filled with the Holy Spirit, and in the time of persecution didst thou receive with gladness of the fragrant fountain of eternal life, at all times magnifying the Giver of Light and Creator of the world: Alleluia! Ikos 2 From youth, blessed father, thou wast an image of humility and godly-mindedness, far from all childlike nonchalance; having heard in thine early youth the name of Christ, thou camest to the Church of Saint Barbara and beheld the Savior on the Cross, and with tears didst thou cry to Him as though He were alive: “Why wast Thou crucified?” And having heard the reply of a watchman, thou didst firmly decide to learn about Christ. Thus, on a divine impulse didst thou purchase a Holy Gospel and from that time to the end of thy days thou didst study the Word of God. Implore Him, merciful father, to sprinkle on us the dew of His grace, that our hearts may burn with the inextinguishable fire of the Holy Gospel as we thus praise thee in song: Rejoice, thou who like Samuel the prophet wast dedicated to God from thy mother’s womb. Rejoice, radiant spiritual light that shone as a ray of knowledge upon those in the darkness of godlessness. Rejoice, thou who wast near to God and didst distance thy mind from worldly cares. Rejoice, chosen one who from thy youth wast illumined by God’s grace. Rejoice, thou who with a sincere soul and pure mind wast ever moved by thy thirst for the Word of God. Rejoice, thou whose soul wast a dominion marked for Christ the King. Rejoice, thou who from youth wast distinguished by thy yearning for God and quickening by the Holy Scriptures. Rejoice, thou who as a child didst bear spiritual armor upon thy shoulders. Rejoice, thou who didst exchange childlike playfulness for the building of churches. Rejoice, thou who didst hate the joys that defile the soul. Rejoice, thou who didst crucify thine heart and desires of the flesh. Rejoice, for thou hast revealed the strength and wisdom of the Gospel as truth, and by thy life knowledge of holiness. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 3 Having beheld the unquenchable fire of thy love for the Lord, the insidious beast and enemy of holiness furiously assaulted thee, struck thy head with his unclean fist, and cried out indignantly: “Raise not thine eyes to the sky any longer!” But as a youth, boldly arming thyself with the Cross of the Lord and His strength, thou didst firmly stand up to the onslaught of the enemy. Having been directed in a heavenly vision to the Church of Saint George, which had been destroyed by thy forebears, with reverent prayer didst thou miraculously lift the stones of the church with thine own hands and lay them aside, in a feat beyond human comprehension, and with joy and love thou gavest thanks to the Lord, praising Him in song: Alleluia! Ikos 3 Ashamed of thy zeal, thy mother casted the Holy Gospel to an unseemly place, but thou didst recover it like an honorable treasure that was made clean by thy tears, departed thy house in tears and hurried to a monastery as a youth of twelve years; thou didst greatly desire the monastic life, but didst not receive the blessing to embark upon it. Thou spent thy days and nights amidst the stones in the churchyards, magnifying God, giving no thought to the cold and hunger thou didst endure. And now, our father, entreat the Lord God that He grant us wisdom of the heart so that we may distinguish good from evil, travel the paths of our lives righteously, and that blessed inspiration be granted to us who praise and sing to thee: Rejoice, fiery confessor who wast persecuted for the faith. Rejoice, reprover of those raging with unbelief. Rejoice, strong defender of those passionately seeking the faith. Rejoice, thou who didst abhor empty desires and accept reproach with gratitude. Rejoice, thou who didst spend nights in prayer and subjected thyself to rest upon a hard bed. Rejoice, thou who didst defeat youthful nonchalance by fasting and hard work. Rejoice, thou who dost protect us from legions of invisible demons. Rejoice, imitator of Abraham’s hospitality. Rejoice, thou who savest from hunger and art merciful to the poor. Rejoice, thou who teachest sinners the sweetness of abstinence. Rejoice, hope of the poor and afflicted. Rejoice, thou who drivest away sinful thoughts. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 4 Thou didst always seek seclusion in a small cell, struggling in diligent prayer and reading the Holy Gospel. Thou keptest thine eyes fixed upon heaven, filling thy soul with the life-giving dew of the grace of the Holy Spirit, and remaining zealous in thy life of struggle didst thou acquire virtues abundantly; in thy humility thou didst reach the depths of the knowledge of God, and having beheld a radiant cross in the sky, thou didst accept the heavenly vision as a sign of thine own Golgotha cross, magnifying the Creator and Life-Giver Christ God: Alleluia! Ikos 4 By God’s providence, father, thou camest to the holy mountain, Mtatsminda, to the Church of Saint David Gareja, learned to read the Psalter and established thyself in Christian teaching; sparing no effort, thou didst labor tirelessly serving the holy temple, and, by God’s providence, as a seedling near a brook, thou didst bear good fruit in due season. Thus protect us, blessed one, from sins and temptations of the world, that we may always live according to God’s will, acquiring heavenly blessings, lest we perish in feeblemindedness. For this we reverently cry to thee: Rejoice, thou who didst unceasingly behold the Lord with noetic vision. Rejoice, thou who wast clothed in humility as if by light. Rejoice, thou who knewest what was hidden from the learned and wise. Rejoice, for thou toughened thyself by zealous fasting and relentless works, and wast filled with ceaseless prayer. Rejoice, thou who didst scorch emerging sins with sorrow, lamentations and tears. Rejoice, unshakeable strength and helper of the fainthearted and weak. Rejoice, thou who strengthenest the souls of the faithful and frightenest the evil forces. Rejoice, extoller of Christ’s magnificence and defeater of the licentious enemies of God. Rejoice, scorner of vainglory and worldly power that cometh from the evil one. Rejoice, thou who didst encourage Christian souls who suffered long under the ungodly. Rejoice, strengthener of the weak and feeble. Rejoice, teacher of those seeking the Truth on the Lord’s path. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 5 With the increase of ungodliness and persecution of the faithful, many turned away from the monastic life, and out of fear of death settled in distant villages to begin worldly lives, but thou didst firmly choose for thyself the narrow path that leads to everlasting joy, and thus didst thou steadfastly guard the Sioni temple, faithfully serving in the altar. God’s temples were being destroyed by the ungodly, but thou didst build a church in thy house, and without rest didst thou seek icons and crosses; finding them profanely discarded in unseemly places, thou didst magnificently decorate them and place them in thy temple, where we now joyously venerate them, warmly chanting to God: Alleluia! Ikos 5 With furious vengeance for thy fervor, the insidious beast heaped much tribulation upon thee to put out thy flame of zeal for the Lord. Like Job the Long-Suffering, the Lord permitted sorrows to befall thee so that, like Job, thy faith would be put to test, but thou wast not afraid of the demons’ schemes, and thou didst restore three ravaged churches such that they exceeded their original beauty. The Lord didst bless this good work, and by His grace sand filled buckets were lifted by angels for thee, who wast standing aloft; and now, father, pray to Christ God that He drive away from us all evil and that we be strengthened in our sorrows and put on the path of repentance, for with gladness and love we cry out to thee: Rejoice, thou who didst reject the temptations of the world like a hermit while in the midst of a great city. Rejoice, thou who didst burden thyself with the weaknesses of others. Rejoice, thou who by zealous prayer didst drive away all despair that cometh from the evil one. Rejoice, thou who wast inspired by the Holy Spirit and didst destroy the multitude of invisible enemies. Rejoice, thou who wast fortified by the Holy Scripture and becamest perfect in wisdom. Rejoice, cohort of angels and corrector of evil brethren. Rejoice, thou who callest all to watchfulness and sobriety. Rejoice, thou who didst love the miraculous Gatekeeper of Iveron, the chief protectress of Georgia. Rejoice, thou who didst adorn thy church with sacred icons saved by thee. Rejoice, thou who settest ablaze a fiery love for God in our hearts. Rejoice, sweet intercessor before God for the Georgian people. Rejoice, offeror of our love at the Lord’s banquet in heaven. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 6 Having seen thy zeal for God, Bishop Gabriel of Kutaisi appointed thee as a novice to Motsameta Monastery, for from youth thou camest to know Christ and desired His grace above all, and sought the monastic life to leave aside worldly cares, magnifying the Lord at all times, to save thy soul. And by God’s providence thou didst receive the blessing to be clothed in a monk’s cassock, and according to thy wish wast thou named in honor of Gabriel of Athos, and now together ye behold the glory of God our Savior; pray to Him, O ye saints, that according to your example we may walk the path of this fleeting life blamelessly, always praising God the Trinity in one essence: Alleluia! Ikos 6 Having been ordained a priest by God’s goodwill, thou didst direct thy mind to God while serving the Liturgy and at the hour of prayer, never ceasing to call upon Him. But fearing the authorities, thy family plotted thy return to the world and intended to force thee into marriage, but thou didst pretend to be insane and by this didst thou destroy their schemes, for thou irrevocably dedicated thyself to the only Most High God, and thus thou wast victorious over thy family’s temptations and they no longer dared to go against thy will. Thus, we place our hope in thee, that by thy prayers our hearts may be ablaze with divine zeal, that we may please the Lord; wherefore we praise thee in song: Rejoice, zealot of true monastic works known only to God. Rejoice, thou who didst strengthen thy soul with harsh vows. Rejoice, thou who didst manifest the strength of God through thine infirmities. Rejoice, thou who didst tirelessly acquire heavenly gifts and study God’s precepts. Rejoice, thou who sawest hidden kindness and gifts in others. Rejoice, thou whose words didst disperse the darkness of sin like lightning. Rejoice, thou who overcamest the eloquence of rhetoricians by true theology. Rejoice, thou who wast a preacher of the holy Orthodox Faith equal to the apostles. Rejoice, teacher of spiritual strength and humility. Rejoice, thou who didst entreat the cruel and heartless by thy meekness. Rejoice, thou who with the Word of God preparest salvation for the faithful. Rejoice, quick hearer of those who are afflicted with sorrow and danger. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 7 Thou didst not renounce God despite calamities, tribulations, persecution and the devil's intimidation, Father Gabriel, for from youth God called thee to serve as a priest, and zealously keeping God’s commandments and joyfully preaching the Gospel, thou didst always reveal sins, direct, warn and graciously console thy flock, and preaching like the Apostle Paul, thou didst gather many souls and turn them to Christ, visiting them on holy days in the holy monasteries and churches of the Iberian land, and teaching all to chant to God: Alleluia! Ikos 7 Though scorned and insulted by the ungodly, thou didst keep thy resolve at all times, Father Gabriel. Thus, once at the Black Sea thou didst pray to God with tears for help in thy sufferings, but suddenly foundest thyself in the depths of the sea, because the shore collapsed beneath thee. The icon of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker wast in thy hands, and Saint Nicholas appeared to people standing nearby showing them the place of thy trouble; they hurried to thy rescue, and pulling thee ashore, they cried out in astonishment: “A magnificent elder called us to thine aid,” and together ye glorified God for this miracle. And now beseech the Lord to protect thy flock, enlighten our minds, and hasten to the aid of us who thus praise and magnify thee: Rejoice, friend of Christ and tireless laborer of His vineyard. Rejoice, thou who didst acquire heavenly grace by confession of the Orthodox Faith. Rejoice, shining light of divine worship. Rejoice, thou who didst conceal thy wisdom and holiness with great humility. Rejoice, thou who didst bear the yoke of a cross adorned with sorrows for the salvation of thy people. Rejoice, leader of the faithful and advocate of priests. Rejoice, power and strength of the kings’ scepter. Rejoice, powerful vanguard and helper of monks. Rejoice, invincible warrior of Christ and great protector of the Georgian Church and people. Rejoice, thou who wast likened to the fathers of old according to thy piety and courage. Rejoice, thou by whose prayers all right-believing people shall trample upon the devil’s schemes, be united by love for Christ, and together serve Him in the struggle against the Antichrist and enemies of the Holy Church. Rejoice, image of righteousness and courage, and the praise and glory of Georgia. Rejoice, O venerable Father Gabriel, holy confessor and Fool-for-Christ! Kontakion 8 Thou wast sent to the Betania Monastery to the venerable and God-bearing wonderworking fathers George and John, and having strengthened thyself by their prayers, thou didst proceed to serve God as a zealous monk, and in the fight with evil thou wast tempered more than steel; by the Lord wast thou granted the gift of seeing into the heart, thus attracting a storm of fury from the enemy forces, who in vain tried to turn thee away from the monastery since they could not overcome the power of thy prayer and hope in the Lord, nor tarnish thy purity; thou wast loved exceedingly by thy spiritual fathers for thy virtues and together with them we give thanks to God: Alleluia! Ikos 8 Venerable John was first to stand before God; when George rushed to his grave and cried out to him, “Christ is risen!” he heard a voice gladly replying: “Truly He is risen!” Soon George’s strength left him and thou, O blessed one, didst administer to him the Holy Mysteries of Christ, and He in turn blessed thee for the last time and peacefully passed on, entrusting his pure soul to God. The authorities persecuting the Church rejoiced greatly at the death of the holy elders and hastened to end the monastery’s divine services, commissioning a guard for the monastery, thus converting it from a house of God to a museum. But thou didst return to Sioni, and again gathered thy flock at services. Likewise, support and teach us to place our hope in the wisdom and providence of God, that He lead along the path of righteousness those who sing to thee: