At times an ascetic would come to Samtavro Monastery to see Saint Gabriel, Staretz Basil Svetsi, from the Pskov-Pechory Monastery, who stood out for his great kindness and humility. It was a pleasure to see these two great ascetics and saints together. So I captured them with my camera. When Father Basil saw the photo, he said with a smile:
"You defeated me Gabriel! In this photo it looks like I am the saint and you are the sinner!"
From the book by Nana Merkviladze, Saint Gabriel the Fool for Christ and Confessor. Translation by John Sanidopoulos.
"You defeated me Gabriel! In this photo it looks like I am the saint and you are the sinner!"
From the book by Nana Merkviladze, Saint Gabriel the Fool for Christ and Confessor. Translation by John Sanidopoulos.