Patriarch
Saint Martyr Gabriel (Rayich) was the Patriarch of the Serbian Church from 1648 to 1655 during a difficult time of Turkish domination. He cared for his flock, strengthening church order and peace. However, the situation of the Church worsened due to pressure from Turkish authorities and Catholic propaganda.
In 1649, the saint visited Constantinople to pay tribute and confirm his archpastoral position. He undertook missionary journeys, strengthening the faith of the people and opposing Catholic influence, especially in northern Serbia.
In 1653, he was in Wallachia and Moldavia, promoting reconciliation between the voivode Matthias Basarab and the hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky. He then traveled to Russia, where he was warmly received by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and Patriarch Nikon, with whom he developed close relations.
Gabriel planned to stay in Russia for a long time, but returned to Serbia, where he faced opposition from Turkish authorities. He was accused of treason and slandered by Jews. After being interrogated by the vizier, who offered him freedom in exchange for renouncing his faith, the saint boldly refused, declaring his readiness to suffer for Christ.
After brutal torture, he was executed in 1659, surrendering his soul to God and receiving a crown in the Kingdom of Heaven.
