Troparion, Tone 2
Receptacle of the Holy Spirit, confessor of the faith of Christ who shone forth in Iberia, O Venerable Father Gabriel! Thou who wast rejected by the world, glorified by thy foolishness for Christ and burning with the love of Christ, hearken to us thy people, that the Lord may forgive our transgressions.
Kontakion, Tone 5
Fruitful vine of the garden of Paradise, valiant soldier of Christ, O venerable Father Gabriel and Wonderworker of Samtavro! Thou who didst ascend to the heights of virtue and surpassed the wise by thy wisdom, O most wondrous fool for Christ, beseech the Master and Almighty that He may deliver us from bondage to sin, the violence of the adversary and great hardships.
Kontakion 1
Chosen vessel of the grace of God, fragrant source of miracles, boast of Iberia, O most wondrous Father Gabriel! Now do we offer thee a song of praise, and since thou hast great boldness towards the Lord, deliver us from all misfortunes, that we may cry to thee with love: Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Ikos 1
Imitating the angelic life, thou didst please God with thy purity and humility, O most blessed Father Gabriel, and thou wast found worthy of acquiring the great gifts of the Holy Spirit! Marvelling at the greatness of thy feat, we call out to thee thus:
Rejoice, well of the wisdom of God;
Rejoice, spring of the living faith.
Rejoice, heart that contained Christ;
Rejoice, tree who has brought forth spiritual fruit.
Rejoice, thou who wast chosen by God from birth;
Rejoice, thou who wast called to serve Him;
Rejoice, thou who didst enlighten the Iberian land by thy miracles;
Rejoice, thou who didst shine forth by thy God-pleasing life.
Rejoice, thou who wast affirmed by God on the rock of faith;
Rejoice, thou who didst preach the Name of Christ with love.
Rejoice, thou who didst endure many sorrows in thy life;
Rejoice, thou who didst enter the Kingdom of Heaven thereby.
Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Kontakion 2
Seeing the abundant outpouring of miracles from thy shrine, O Venerable Father Gabriel, we are confirmed in faith and piety. Revering thee as a wondrous pleaser of God, with thankful lips we cry to the Lord, the Giver of good things: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Beseech the Lord to enlighten our reason, O pleaser of God Gabriel, that, shaking off earthly passions and vain cares, we may ascend with our hearts and minds to the heavenly abodes, wherein thou dwellest, and call out to thee thus:
Rejoice, fragrance of the Paradise of Christ;
Rejoice, radiance of the grace of God.
Rejoice, boast and adornment of the garden of the Mother of God;
Rejoice, thou who didst strike terror into the insolent who did sacrilege.
Rejoice, thou who didst strive for monastic solitude from thy youth;
Rejoice, thou who didst call out to God for help.
Rejoice, thou who didst heed the Word of God;
Rejoice, thou who didst obey His commandments.
Rejoice, thou who didst bear the chains of feigned foolishness;
Rejoice, thou who didst put to shame the delusions of this world.
Rejoice, thou who didst love poverty and humiliations;
Rejoice, thou who didst glorify the Name of God.
Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Kontakion 3
Strengthened by the power of the love of Christ, bestowed on thee from above, O Venerable Father Gabriel, thou wast zealous in acquiring feats like the Fathers of the Ancient Church. Growing in humility and meekness, thou didst pray for heavenly help, crying out to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having great faith and firm trust in the Lord, thou didst choose the path of foolishness, O most wondrous Father Gabriel. Singing with love and glorifying God, wondrous in His saints, we call out to thee thus:
Rejoice, ray of the Sun of truth;
Rejoice, thou who wast illumined by the light of Christ.
Rejoice, adamant of the Orthodox faith;
Rejoice, glory and praise of fasters.
Rejoice, thou who dost brighten our hearts with the light of faith;
Rejoice, thou who dost teach us awe.
Rejoice, zealot of piety;
Rejoice, zealous builder of a church of God.
Rejoice, thou who didst save profaned holy places from desecration;
Rejoice, thou who didst reject the threats of persecutors.
Rejoice, thou who didst bear the yoke of Christ with love;
Rejoice, thou who didst serve God diligently.
Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Kontakion 4
Shunning the storms of the sea of life and seeking solitude and prayer, thou didst come to Betania Monastery, O most Blessed Father Gabriel! Instructed by spirit-bearing fathers, praising Almighty God, thou didst cry out to Him with tenderness of heart: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
When the inhabitants of Iberia heard of thy boldness in glorifying the name of Christ out loud, they marvelled at thy feat. Having put to shame the worship of an idol, thou didst ascend to the cross of sufferings. Singing of thy feat, O Venerable Father Gabriel, we proclaim to thee:
Rejoice, spirit-bearing child of the fathers of Betania;
Rejoice, zealot of monastic feats.
Rejoice, bright adornment of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, illumination of the Iberian land.
Rejoice, thou who didst enrich thyself by poverty and reason;
Rejoice, thou who partookest of heavenly glory.
Rejoice, thou who didst capture the devil by thy exploits;
Rejoice, thou who didst commit an image of the Godless leader to fire.
Rejoice, thou who didst preach the faith of Christ while in bonds;
Rejoice, thou who didst bring sinners to repentance.
Rejoice, thou who wast confined to a home for the insane;
Rejoice, thou who wast glorified by Divine miracles.
Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Kontakion 5
Thou wast a star guided by God shining in the firmament of Iberia, O wondrous Father Gabriel. Enduring suffering and reviling for Christ and reckoned among the outcast, now thou dost glorify Him with the saints, crying out to the Lord: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing thy zeal for God, O venerable one, the enemy of our salvation poured out his fury on thee through the Godless authorities. And thy lot, O Holy Father, was sorrows and persecutions. Singing of thy feats, which astonished the angels, we fall down to thee with love:
Rejoice, fountain of Divine miracles;
Rejoice, heart full of love.
Rejoice, thou who didst endure slander with gracious soul;
Rejoice, thou who didst conquer enemies with love.
Rejoice, thou who didst choose grave slabs for thy bed;
Rejoice, thou who didst shine forth in the abodes of heaven.
Rejoice, thou who didst humbly beg for alms;
Rejoice, thou who didst receive a reward in heaven.
Rejoice, thou who didst touch the tears of the Lord on the Cross;
Rejoice, thou who wast found worthy to hear His voice.
Rejoice, thou who wast freed from prison by the Zealous Intercessor;
Rejoice, thou who wast consoled by the Mother of God.
Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Kontakion 6
The land of Iberia preaches thee, O wondrous Father Gabriel, swift intercessor in misfortunes and ardent petitioner for the salvation of our souls. Thou didst humbly wear the cross of holy foolishness and thank the Lord in sorrows, and now thou dost teach us to glorify Christ, prayerfully singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Thou hast shone forth with grace, like the brightest beacon, like the radiant dawn, O Venerable Father Gabriel. Singing of thy great feat and labours, with love we call out to thee thus:
Rejoice, abode of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, receptacle of great gifts.
Rejoice, adornment of Samtavro Convent;
Rejoice, wondrous multiplication of the glory of the saints.
Rejoice, thou who didst subdue the fleshly mind to the spirit;
Rejoice, thou who didst put the cunning of the enemy to shame.
Rejoice, thou who didst conceal the gracious gifts of God behind feigned intoxication;
Rejoice, thou who didst heal those suffering from the disease of addiction to drink.
Rejoice, thou who wast compassionate to sinners;
Rejoice, thou who didst wish salvation for all.
Rejoice, thou who didst despise the intimidations of the enemy;
Rejoice, thou who didst boldly preach Orthodoxy.
Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Kontakion 7
Wishing to serve the Lord, O Father Gabriel most worthy of praise, thou didst shun all the fleeting and vain things of this world. Following Christ on the path of suffering, with a simple heart thou didst cry out to Him with love: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
The Lord raised thee up, a new and venerable monk, O most praised Father Gabriel, in the hour of the harsh persecution of the Church of Christ. Singing of thy great feat, O most wondrous one, we cry to thee thus:
Rejoice, pillar of Orthodoxy;
Rejoice, sincere friend of Christ.
Rejoice, thou who wast warmed by the grace of God in sorrow;
Rejoice, holy heir of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, thou who art filled with Divine love;
Rejoice, thou who didst live an angelic life on earth.
Rejoice, thou who wast persecuted in thy life;
Rejoice, thou who now dost glorify Christ with the saints.
Rejoice, thou who dost call down the mercy of God on sinners;
Rejoice, thou who dost bring those gone astray to their senses.
Rejoice, thou who didst heal a family from barrenness by thy prayers;
Rejoice, thou who didst tell them of the birth of their daughter.
Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Kontakion 8
Thou wast a stranger and passing visitor in this world, O most worthy of praise Father Gabriel. Seeking the City of Heaven, thou didst choose the thorny path of salvation, thanking the merciful Lord for all things and singing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All filled with the grace of God and strengthened in arduous labour by the Lord, thou didst call out to Him: ‘He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust!’ And thou dost teach us to abide with Christ, all calling out to thee:
Rejoice, leader of those seeking salvation;
Rejoice, heavenly seed of the land of Iberia.
Rejoice, champion of the Orthodox faith;
Rejoice, wondrous converser with the saints.
Rejoice, defender of the offended;
Rejoice, comforter of the afflicted.
Rejoice, thou who dost show us speedy help;
Rejoice, thou who dost call us to repentance.
Rejoice, thou who dost drive away the darkness of despair;
Rejoice, thou who dost fill our hearts with hope.
Rejoice, thou who dost rescue us from sudden death by prayer;
Rejoice, thou who dost deliver us from disasters and misfortunes.
Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Kontakion 9
All the saints and the heavenly hosts received thee with joy, O Father Gabriel most worthy of praise, when the path of thy earthly wanderings ended and thou wast taken up to the heavenly Jerusalem. And marvelling at what a wonderworker and man of prayer the Lord has given us, with thankful hearts we cry to Him thus: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Orators with their fleshly wisdom are not able to grasp the height of thy exploit, O venerable one. Concealing the great gifts of the Holy Spirit beneath the veil of foolishness for Christ, shining forth in the purity of thy life, reckoned among the insane, thou didst put to shame the wisdom of this world, O most wondrous Father Gabriel. For this reason we praise thee thus:
Rejoice, fragrant flower of Paradise;
Rejoice, thou who wast exiled for the sake of truth.
Rejoice, thou who didst flourish like a palm in thine immaculate life;
Rejoice, most zealous pleaser of God.
Rejoice, thou who didst warm hearts by the radiance of thy holiness;
Rejoice, thou who didst have invincible wealth of the soul.
Rejoice, thou who didst gain the Heavenly Kingdom by thy humility of spirit;
Rejoice, thou who didst inherit the promised land for thy meekness.
Rejoice, thou who didst burn with prayer to God;
Rejoice, thou who didst endure torment for the sake of Christ.
Rejoice, thou who wast strengthened by the grace of God;
Rejoice, thou who wast instructed by the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Kontakion 10
Walking the saving path towards the heavenly Jerusalem, thou didst acquire the spirit of peace, O Venerable Father Gabriel. Putting all thy trust in the Lord, now thou dost teach us to follow in the footsteps of Christ and commend ourselves to His good will, singing to Him with love: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Unbreachable wall of prayer, shield protecting the faithful, warrior of Christ rescuing sinners from the abyss of perdition, we beseech thee, O Venerable Father Gabriel most worthy of praise, forsake not us who are besieged by the storm of passions without thy help, that we may call out to thee thus:
Rejoice, mirror of Divine love;
Rejoice, praise of the meek.
Rejoice, strengthening of the weak in faith;
Rejoice, intercession for the suffering.
Rejoice, instructor of those who seek salvation;
Rejoice, admonition of the proud.
Rejoice, fountain of Divine healings;
Rejoice, heir of the abodes of heaven.
Rejoice, ray who shone forth in the gloom of Godlessness;
Rejoice, preacher who didst denounce heresy.
Rejoice, thou who didst cast down the power of the enemy by fasting and prayer;
Rejoice, thou who wast victorious over evil spirits by humility.
Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Kontakion 11
We offer thee songs of praise, O most wondrous Father Gabriel. Iberia rejoices, and Samtavro Convent exults, glorifying the merciful Lord Who has given us His saint, with love proclaiming to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
O wonderful light, O guiding star to those living in the darkness of sin, O Venerable Father Gabriel. Vouchsafed the formidable appearance of the Queen of Heaven, thou didst beseech mothers not to destroy their children in the womb. Therefore, as to a zealous intercessor for us we call out to thee thus:
Rejoice, glorious chosen one of God;
Rejoice, thou who didst please Him from thy youth.
Rejoice, thou who didst conquer enemies with the Name of Jesus;
Rejoice, thou who didst call on the Chosen Leader of the hosts for help.
Rejoice, thou who didst seek the Heavenly Kingdom;
Rejoice, thou who didst acquire treasures of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, thou who didst loud thunder out the Word of God;
Rejoice, thou who didst put unbelief to shame.
Rejoice, thou who didst wear a diadem in holy foolishness;
Rejoice, thou who didst receive a crown of glory.
Rejoice, thou who didst devote thy life to God;
Rejoice, thou who didst preserve the precious gift of faith from thy youth.
Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Kontakion 12
Acquiring the grace of God and reaching the City of Heaven by the path of the commandments of Christ, O Venerable Father Gabriel, now in the Church Triumphant with the saints and heavenly hosts, with loud voice thou dost hymn the King of kings and offer Him the song of praise: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing of thy most glorious feats and miracles, we marvel at thy angelic life, O Father Gabriel most worthy of praise, and offer thee our prayers of praise, crying out to thee with love thus:
Rejoice, thou who art clothed in the robe of humility;
Rejoice, thou who wast borne up to the heights of heaven.
Rejoice, fragrant oil of the grace of God;
Rejoice, chosen confessor of Christ.
Rejoice, thou who didst perform the Jesus Prayer;
Rejoice, thou who didst beat adversaries with the Name of Christ.
Rejoice, thou who didst denounce the powers that be;
Rejoice, thou who didst put worldly wisdom to shame.
Rejoice, thou who didst heal a heterodox from grievous illness;
Rejoice, thou who didst enlighten his soul with the light of the faith of Christ.
Rejoice, healer from cancer and manifold ailments;
Rejoice, liberator of those possessed with demons.
Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Kontakion 13
O wondrous Father Gabriel most worthy of praise, our swift comforter and intercessor! Accept this song of praise from us, beseech the Almighty Lord that we may be saved from everlasting condemnation and torment and be found worthy to sing to Him with thee: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1.
Ikos 1
Imitating the angelic life, thou didst please God with thy purity and humility, O most blessed Father Gabriel, and thou wast found worthy of acquiring the great gifts of the Holy Spirit! Marvelling at the greatness of thy feat, we call out to thee thus:
Rejoice, well of the wisdom of God;
Rejoice, spring of the living faith.
Rejoice, heart that contained Christ;
Rejoice, tree who has brought forth spiritual fruit.
Rejoice, thou who wast chosen by God from birth;
Rejoice, thou who wast called to serve Him;
Rejoice, thou who didst enlighten the Iberian land by thy miracles;
Rejoice, thou who didst shine forth by thy God-pleasing life.
Rejoice, thou who wast affirmed by God on the rock of faith;
Rejoice, thou who didst preach the Name of Christ with love.
Rejoice, thou who didst endure many sorrows in thy life;
Rejoice, thou who didst enter the Kingdom of Heaven thereby.
Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Kontakion 1
Chosen vessel of the grace of God, fragrant source of miracles, boast of Iberia, O most wondrous Father Gabriel! Now do we offer thee a song of praise, and since thou hast great boldness towards the Lord, deliver us from all misfortunes, that we may cry to thee with love: Rejoice, O venerable confessor Gabriel, fool for Christ and wonderworker!
Prayer
O Venerable Father Gabriel, wonderworker of Samtavro, thou who didst shine forth in the feat of foolishness for the sake of Christ! Offer up thy prayers for us to the Lord like fragrant incense, Deliver us, O most wondrous father, by thy intercession from every misfortune and disaster, destroy the snares of the demons, quench enmity and heal the sick. The stream of miracles of God from thy holy shrine, O venerable one, does not become shallow, nor does the stream of His mercy to us sinners, who pray to thee, dry up.
Thou who wast vouchsafed the gift of great love from the Lord, who didst bear the burdens of thy neighbours and shed tears for sinners and the suffering, take our prayers and weeping of repentance to the throne of God. May we be vouchsafed by thy help, O father most worthy of praise, to pass through the tollhouses without hindrance and reach the Heavenly Homeland, where the unceasing voice of those who celebrate glorifies the Most Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Akathist to the Venerable Gabriel of Samtavro, Confessor and Fool-for-Christ was composed in Church Slavonic by Maria Alexandrovna Pukhova of Moscow and first published with the blessing of Archbishop Ephraim (Gamrekelidze) of Bolnisi (Georgian Orthodox Church) in 2018
Translated into English by Dmitry Lapa and Archpriest Andrew Phillips