Archimandrite
He was born on May 23, 1888, in the village of Samodurovka, Penza Province, to a peasant family of Ivan Igoshkin. He was named Ioann at baptism. From childhood, he experienced the heavy peasant labor, helping his father. After learning to read and write, he left for the monastery of Zhadovskaya Pustyn on November 12, 1903.
He served in the army, and in 1914 was called up to the active army, where he served as a psalmist. At the end of 1917, he was demobilized and returned to his parents. In 1921, he was ordained as a deacon, and in 1922 – as a priest. He served in the Protection Church of the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent.
In 1929, he took monastic vows with the name Gavriil, and in 1930 was elevated to the rank of igumen. He was first arrested on April 14, 1931, and sentenced to three years. After his release, he continued to serve, but in 1934 he was arrested again and released on October 3, 1934.
He served in various churches and was respected among the parishioners. In 1936, he was arrested during a service, accused of counter-revolutionary activities. On January 20, 1937, he was sentenced to five years in camps. He endured much suffering in the camps but continued to serve and help others.
He was released in July 1942 and returned to Melekhess. He served in the church and conducted spiritual conversations. In 1949, he was arrested again and sentenced to ten years. In 1954, he was released due to illness and returned to Melekhess, where he continued to serve and help people.
He died on October 18, 1959, after which he was buried in the city cemetery. On October 5 (18), 2000, his relics were discovered, which now rest in the Nikolsky Cathedral of the city of Dimitrovgrad.
