Gabriel the Cypriot

Saint Gabriel the Cypriot (so called in some lists, though the source shows him born at Giannades in Corfu), a venerable monk, was a hieromonk of the New Skete, born with the name Theodore. He was a deacon of Metropolitan Hierotheos of Miletoupolis (died 1956). After many years of struggle and obedience in the Cell of Saint Spyridon in the New Skete, he went out into the world with the blessing of his elder and for eighteen years helped many people in Corinthia to know God better, as a virtuous and discerning confessor. In 1964 he returned to his cell. He used to say: "If a man receives the Most Pure Mysteries every day, gives all his property in alms and dries up with fasting and prostrations, but does not gain love for God, for people and for all creation, he has done nothing and will not find the mercy of God."

Once he was called to a dying monk who had difficulty in giving up his soul. The monk said that he saw angels on his right, demons on his left and a paper stuck to his shoulder. The confessor told him to ask the angels what was written on the paper; they read him two unconfessed sins. The monk confessed them, Father Gabriel read him the prayer of absolution and the monk reposed in peace. Two days before his death he foretold his own end, called his brothers and asked and gave forgiveness. He fell asleep on 30 January 1967, after the Liturgy served in the morning in the little chapel of Saint Spyridon, at the commemoration of the Three Hierarchs, while feeding the birds of his yard. He suffered from diabetes. He is honoured by the faithful, without synodal canonization.