Testimonies of God's help

Stories of people who received help, consolation and healing through prayer. At the centre of each of them is not the miracle itself but the Lord, who showed His mercy. The saints are our intercessors before God, and the source of every healing is God Himself. Read, give thanks together with the authors and pray for one another.

WHERE THESE STORIES COME FROM

The testimonies are collected by Nun Maria

For many years Nun Maria (Glushchenko), a resident of the dependency of the Holy Dormition Convent in Kemerovo, has collected the stories of people who received help through the prayers of St Gabriel (Urgebadze).

With her blessing and kind permission we publish a selection of these testimonies. Each story is the living testimony of a person who experienced God's mercy after turning in prayer to St Gabriel.

Nun Maria (Glushchenko) with the icon of St Gabriel
Nun Maria (Glushchenko) with the icon of St Gabriel and the book of testimonies

Sight Restored

For a long time, I suffered from a severe disease of the cornea. The illness gradually deprived me of normal vision. With prayer, I began turning to the Lord through the intercession of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze and revere…

Ergneti Village, Georgia

Through the prayers of St Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze)

Following a Pilgrim’s Advice

A woman I knew had endured a severe trial. Several of her pregnancies had ended in the loss of the child. At that time, a pilgrimage group from Greece was visiting Georgia. When one of the priests learned of her sorrow,…

Tbilisi, Georgia

Through the prayers of St Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze)

The Gift of Motherhood

For three years, my husband and I waited for a child. Despite numerous examinations and treatments, the long-awaited pregnancy did not come. During Great Lent, I travelled to Samtavro Monastery. At the resting place of S…

Tbilisi, Georgia

Through the prayers of St Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze)

Breathing Freely

For many years, I suffered from asthma. During one attack, my breathing became so difficult that I asked for prayerful help. After we prayed together, I was anointed with oil blessed at the resting place of Saint Gabriel…

Ksani Correctional Colony, Georgia

Through the prayers of St Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze)

The Power of Common Prayer

In prison, even the simplest medical care can be difficult to obtain. When I developed severe toothache, I asked Vasili Narindoshvili to pray with me. After the prayer, he anointed me with oil blessed at Saint Gabriel’s…

Ksani Correctional Colony, Georgia

Through the prayers of St Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze)

Help in an Everyday Affliction

For a long time, I suffered severe pain in my knees. Walking became increasingly difficult. I began praying to the Lord and reverently using oil blessed at the resting place of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze. After some time, t…

Ksani Correctional Colony, Georgia

Through the prayers of St Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze)

When Despair Gave Way to Hope

Because of severe inflammation, my leg was in a very serious condition. Two toes were so badly affected that treatment brought no noticeable improvement. I asked Vasili Narindoshvili to pray with me. After the prayer, he…

Ksani Correctional Colony, Georgia

Through the prayers of St Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze)

Relief After Common Prayer

For a long time, I suffered from a gastric ulcer. During attacks, the pain became almost unbearable. On 2 January, one such attack was especially severe. The brothers beside me suggested that we first turn to the Lord in…

Ksani Correctional Colony, Georgia

Through the prayers of St Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze)

A Prayer That Changed the Heart

At the beginning of January 2003, I became seriously ill. Because of severe inflammation, the pain was so intense that I could barely stand. I knew that our prison church kept oil blessed at the resting place of Saint Ga…

Ksani Correctional Colony, Georgia

Through the prayers of St Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze)

A Road to Faith Through Trials

In the mid-1990s, after a severe beating, I suffered a serious injury to my left ear. My eardrum was damaged. For a long time, I experienced pain, inflammation, and loss of hearing. Later, I heard about Saint Gabriel Urg…

Ksani Correctional Colony, Georgia

Through the prayers of St Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze)

“The Mercy of God Is at Work Even Behind Prison Walls”

While serving my sentence at the Ksani Correctional Colony, I carried out an obedience at the Church of Saint Nicholas, built within the prison grounds. Life in prison is filled with trials. Many people suffer not only f…

Ksani Correctional Colony, Georgia

Through the prayers of St Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze)

A Hope the Lord Did Not Put to Shame

I was given a grave diagnosis: total fibrosis of the bone marrow. The illness progressed rapidly. At one point, the doctors had almost lost hope of a favourable outcome. All that remained was to place my trust in God’s m…

Tbilisi, Georgia

Through the prayers of St Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze)

COLLECTIONS

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Tell how the Lord helped you

Every good thing in our life is a reason to thank God. Tell what happened, through whose prayers you asked for help and how you saw God's mercy. Add the names of those we should pray for: we will pray for them together.

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