St. Gabriel Fool-for-Christ of the Republic of Georgia fell asleep in death on this day in 1995. That is a modern saint! I was advised last year to “get to know” St. Gabriel, and one way I’ve learned about him was through the several videos about his life, which include a multitude of stories from people who knew him well.

Gabriel served in the Soviet army as a youth, and later was tonsured a monk. He became famous in Georgia when on May 1, 1965 he set fire to a giant poster of Lenin at a Worker’s Day parade. That prompted his arrest, confinement in a mental hospital, and torture for seven months.

This movie about St. Gabriel is a very good one, which I never get tired of watching: “I Am Waiting for You at Samtavro;” it gives many details about his life and has the English translation dubbed in. His sister, his doctor, priests and monastics and others share about the love and miracles they experienced through his life and intercession before and after his repose. In the last ten years he has been recognized as a saint by the Georgian Church and then more widely throughout the world. From the movie narration:

“The saint and god-pleaser Gabriel is not only a great intercessor before God, but at the same time he is a role model for us on earth. His whole life was composed of great and brotherly love and it continues after his blessed repose. Being in the light of the Holy Trinity, Elder Gabriel is with us in an invisible, and sometimes visible way. He strengthens people in the faith and guides everyone, showing them the right path, cheering them up, and instilling hope.”