Saint Gabriel Gowdel

[Saint Gabriel Gowdel icon]
Memorial
3 May
22 September (translation of relics)
Profile
Son of Peter and Anastasia Gowdel who were pious Orthodox Christians. Gabriel noted for his piety and prayer from a very early age. Murder victim, and considered a martyr. His attacker buried the body in a wooded area near the village where stray dogs guarded it until it was discovered by the villagers nine days after the crime; the body was incorrupt.

During an epidemic in 1720, children were buried near him, their families considering the ground around a martyr to be especially hallowed. His body was accidentally exhumed, and found to still be incorrupt. There were many miraculous cures after the incident, and the end of an epidemic followed soon after.
Born
22 March 1684 at Zwierki, Poland
Died
murdered on 11 April 1690; body transferred to the church at Zwierki, Poland; the church burned in 1746 - Gabriel's hand was burned, but healed; relics translated to Saint Nicola's Cathedral, Bialystok in 1922
Name Meaning
God is my strength; God is mighty; strong man of God; the strength of God
Patronage
children
Additional Information
Bialystok-Gdansk Orthodox Diocese
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