By Malkhaz Dzhinoria
Every word of Father Gabriel served as medicine for all, laymen and clergy.
One time monks who came to see him were discussing on the road:
"What a privilege monks have and how great it is that we know the power of the cross and the 90th Psalm, and with them we can fight evil!"
As soon as they entered the Elder's cell and he blessed them, he said with regret:
"My children, in the morning I woke up, and I was being hampered by the evil spirits. I wanted to do my cross and couldn't. My hands were tied, otherwise I would have shown them! They strangled me so much that I couldn't say the 90th Psalm."
One of the monks was ashamed and bowed his head.
And Father Gabriel continued:
"But God's mercy covered me and the evil spirits left me."
In this way the Saint taught the monks that without God's mercy man cannot accomplish anything on his own.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.