We are pleased to welcome you to our family, the Mama Gabrieli family. Those who love Father Gabriel always meet. He brings them together himself. Because they are soul mates.
My name is Elena and my little ones Gabriel and Seraphim. Georgian elders predicted the birth of twins for me. In gratitude to God, we named our children in honor of two saints: Gabriel of Samtavria and Seraphim of Sarov, as a friendship between two peoples – Russian and Georgian. It is very difficult for us to imagine Russia without Georgia and Georgia without Russia. For us, as Orthodox Christians, the most important thing in life is the Eucharist. But in the sacrament of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. Russia gives us bread, and Georgia gives us wine. Both Russia and Georgia are the destiny of the Most Holy Theotokos.
My friendship with Father Gabriel began on February 22, 2014, the day his relics were found. In the news about the discovery of the relics of Elder Gabriel, I saw photographs in which there were a huge number of people, there were so many of them that it struck me to the core. Everyone spoke Georgian, and of course I didn’t understand anything. Everyone just repeated: “Gabrieli’s mom…Gabrieli’s mom.” At the time I couldn’t understand what this meant. In order to figure it out, I entered “Gabrieli’s Mom” into the search engine and began reading all the information that was about him. Having finished studying by 5 am, I read all the testimonies from my spiritual children about Elder Gabriel. Tears flowed from my eyes, I realized what a great saint had lived among us just recently, and I really wanted to become His spiritual child too. Then I closed my eyes and, imagining Elder Gabriel, said: “Father, please, if you can, take me as your spiritual child, I really need it!” If only I knew then how my life would change after these words… and all roads would lead me to Georgia to Samtavro. And my whole life will become connected only with Saint Gabriel and Georgia.
Six months later, after extreme stress, a mole on my shoulder degenerated into melanoma. And while in the oncology center, my whole life flashed before my eyes. “In 2 weeks: surgery, tests, then they promised chemistry like everyone else… but I’m 25 years old, I want to live. Father Gabriel, help! I read about you in articles, how you healed people, help me too. I don’t have your oil and icon, but I’m not in Georgia, where can I get them? I believed you so much, I will change everything in my life, if I don’t die, I will serve you and build a temple in Perm in your honor!”
Such a strong Faith and fervent Prayer that two days later I woke up in the morning, went to the mirror, and the mole was gone and that terrible lilac spot was gone. He heard me, he helped me! This means that He took me as his spiritual child and I promised to serve him. She promised, so she must fulfill it. I buy a plane ticket to Georgia and fly to Samtavro. On my knees I thank: “Father, dear, it was I who came to you, your child from Perm. Thank you. The Lord, through Your prayers, left me on earth. How can I now, for the sake of the Lord, go all my way, not turn anywhere, how can I, Father Gabriel, serve You? Do you know how many more people like me are now in cancer centers, help them all! But not everyone in Russia knows about you, and they, like me, don’t have your oil and icon with a cap. Let’s do this? You see my two hands (I put them on the elder’s shrine) if you want my hands will be your hands on the ground. If you want to help someone, send me there or bring this person to me, and I will now go to the store and buy your holy items, oil, icons, land and hats. I will bring them home and distribute them to everyone who needs them. You can’t buy this anywhere in Russia.”
