The Elder’s Prophetic Words

I first met Saint Gabriel Urgebadze in 1987, on the feast of the Radiant Resurrection of Christ.

It happened at Samtavro Monastery.

One of the nuns introduced me to the elder.

Saint Gabriel asked me to help him put on his monastic mantle and then invited me to share the festive meal.

During our conversation, he suddenly said:

— You are a good man. Never begin smoking.

The elder then spoke several more words that seemed incomprehensible to me at the time.

He said that serious family trials lay ahead of me, but that everything would end in peace.

Years later, this is exactly what happened.

Saint Gabriel then added:

— In thirteen years, you will work for the Church, although you will not wear monastic robes.

Exactly thirteen years passed.

I was invited to head the Agricultural Department of the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

I then remembered the elder’s words and gratefully recognised their remarkable accuracy.

That meeting has remained one of the dearest memories of my life.

“The saints help people not only through their prayers, but also through wise words whose meaning may be revealed many years later.”

Glory to God for all things!