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St. Gabriel (Urgebadze), 1929–1995, stands as a singular witness to the enduring power of Christian love amidst the persecutions of the twentieth century. A man who was persecuted, insulted, and ridiculed as a “fool” during his lifetime, he is today revered as a pinnacle of spiritual strength and wisdom. Moving between the roles of spiritual mentor and “Fool for Christ,” Fr. Gabriel set himself firmly upon the path of the Cross through his shocking humility and courageous 1965 act of defiance against the Soviet regime. He was famously clairvoyant, possessing the profound gift to read the thoughts and discern the inner spiritual states of all who sought him out.
This volume represents the official English translation of the original 2008 Georgian edition by Archimandrite Kirion (Oniani), a close associate of the Saint. It remains the most authoritative account of the life and deeds that pleased God, Who has since highly exalted and glorified his name. As captured in his last Testament and inscribed upon his grave, “The Truth is in the Immortality of the Soul”—a phrase that serves as the essence of a life spent guarding that Truth through unwavering spiritual struggle. Today, St. Gabriel remains a legend of modern reality; his tomb is a place of pilgrimage where the sick and powerless seek hope and find miraculous healing. This English edition enriches the original narrative with: historical and hagiographic commentaries — extensive annotations providing context for the modern reader, comprehensive glossary — a dedicated reference for specialized Orthodox and Georgian terminology, rich visual record — over 60 photos and icons, including a dedicated Appendix featuring photography produced almost entirely for this volume.
You can purchase the English edition on Amazon.
Print and Kindle Editions
For centuries, readers have been captivated by the Song of Songs. Published in Russian 2022, Song of the Song of Songs offers a profound and accessible guide to its deepest spiritual meaning, written for today’s reader. In this authoritative commentary, Archimandrite Raphael (Karelin) illuminates the mystical theology of the Orthodox Church while preserving the poetry and “spirit and flight” of King Solomon’s immortal poem and the most enigmatic book in the Bible.
Excerpts:
[The soul-Shulamite to the Lord:] “Let us look at the stars, like the flowers of the night and the tears of the sky. Why does the sky weep with diamond tears? Perhaps from unrequited love for You, because You loved the little earth more than the universe and took Your Flesh from it?”
“The Song of Songs is an internal apocalypse of the human soul, no less majestic than the Apocalypse recorded on Patmos… Its gentle voice shakes the soul no less than the sounds of thunder in the Patmos revelations. The Song of Songs begins in Eden, its course flows through the history of mankind, and its mouth flows into eternity.”
The book has been translated into English. You can purchase the English edition on Amazon.
Cover Image Credit: Original image, “Webb’s First Deep Field,” NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI, used as the basis for the cover design.