Gabriel Siokouros

Elder Gabriel Siokouros of Lysi, called the Agiovarnavitis, was a hieromonk and abbot of the Monastery of the Apostle Barnabas in Cyprus. He fell asleep in the Lord on 5 December 2013. He is honoured by the faithful as a spiritual father, a man of prayer, sacrifice and love, without synodal canonization; his memory is kept on 5 December.

He came from the village of Lysi in Cyprus. He wanted to give everything to the Church, to help all people, especially the young, and lead them to the Church and to Christ. He gave himself with all his soul to mission and works of charity. In 1974 he was returning from Mount Athos, where he had stayed two years to perfect the art of iconography, and before leaving for his monastery in Cyprus he learned of the Turkish invasion. He could not return to his homeland and to the monastery of the Apostle Barnabas, which had been occupied and ruined by the Turks, and he stayed several years in Greece, at Nafplio, in the Monastery of St Demetrios of Karakalas, where he served as a priest, for seven years according to some accounts. His mother, Haralambou, came to Athens to support him in the illness that struck him, and stayed with him from then on; later his sister Gregorou joined them. He painted icons so as not to burden the monastery with expenses.

People who knew him speak of his gentleness, patience, humility and love; he disarmed with his smile and made those who came to him forget their pains and worries. He had the gift of discernment and of fitting counsel. From youth he often withdrew to the chapel of St Euphemianos on the outskirts of Lysi, where he prayed for hours for everyone. He prayed simply, with power and faith, without the least doubt, and God heard his prayers. One penitent tells that the father gave her as penance not prostrations and fasting but to read a homily of Saint John Chrysostom; to others he asked only to bring another soul to confession.

At Karakalas his mother saw one morning, as he said at the Altar "The Lamb of God is broken and distributed", that he held the Lord slain in his hands and that they were covered in blood; she saw this other times as well. The father said nothing. In time he served at the convent of St Panteleimon at Achera in Cyprus, and after 1974 was abbot of the Monastery of the Apostle Barnabas. He fought for the monastery in the occupied territories and had the joy of serving again at the Apostle's tomb and in his church. He reposed in peace on 5 December 2013. Many speak of miracles taking place immediately after his death. Among his sayings: "Prayer should be a source of joy, not forced. Anxiety is where there is no faith, hope, love and trust in God."