Saint Gabriel Gowdel



Son of Peter and Anastasia Gowdel who were pious Orthodox Christians. Gabriel was noted for his piety and prayer from a very early age. He was a murder victim, and was 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 be incorrupt. There were many miraculous cures after the incident, and the end of the epidemic followed soon after.




MLA Citation

  • “Saint Gabriel Gowdel”. 7 April 2012. Web. 29 August 2014. <>