Georgian 'delegation' delivers gifts to Russian unit fighting against Ukraine
According to Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency, Georgian volunteers on a “humanitarian mission” in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic delivered an icon of St George the Victorious, motorcycles and prayer rooms to a Russian unit named after St Gabriel Urgebadze and the Nevsky Brigade, which are fighting against Ukraine. Besik Danelia, a Georgian “public figure” who leads the volunteers, told the agency about the initiative.
The Georgian Orthodox Church strongly opposes the use of Archimandrite Gabriel Urgebadze’s name to justify or support military action. Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze, head of the Georgian Patriarchate’s press service, said it was particularly unacceptable that some Russian Orthodox Church clergy had supported the initiative.
Father Gabriel (Urgebadze) was a Georgian Orthodox monk and archimandrite whom the Georgian Orthodox Church canonised as a saint.
One of the best-known episodes of his life took place in 1965, during the Soviet era. During a 1 May demonstration, he publicly burned a huge portrait of Lenin. Authorities beat him severely, arrested him and sent him to a psychiatric hospital. Later, despite pressure and persecution from the authorities, he continued his church service. His life became associated with strict asceticism, helping others and the idea of love.
What is known about the unit named after Father Gabriel and Besik Danelia
In an interview with RIA Novosti, Besik Danelia said he had travelled to Donetsk to visit “brothers” who, according to him, “are defending their homeland on the front line”, and had brought them humanitarian aid.
Andrei Kramar, a representative of the de facto authorities in occupied Donetsk, also said that a “Georgian delegation” that openly supports Russia’s war had visited the region.
“A Georgian delegation came to us and brought humanitarian aid. They are doing this openly. They are proud to support and have chosen a side in the special military operation,” Kramar said.
Reports about the existence of a “Orthodox” unit named after Father Gabriel Urgebadze and made up of ethnic Georgians first emerged in January 2026.
Besik Danelia was previously a member of Nino Burjanadze’s pro-Russian Democratic Movement – United Georgia party. He has also appeared on the Georgia Wave media platform, which is linked to Putin supporter Mamuka Pipia, where he echoed the Georgian Dream ruling party’s calls for an apology to Georgia’s occupied regions.
What the Georgian Patriarchate says
The Georgian Patriarchate says that using the name of Archimandrite Gabriel Urgebadze for a military unit is particularly incompatible with his legacy.
Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze: “First of all, let us note that Orthodox people are dying on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war. We watch this with deep pain in our hearts. We pray and ask the saints to intercede so that the Lord may grant peace to Ukraine, Russia and the whole world. And at such a time, without any consultation with the Georgian Orthodox Church or consideration of its position, we have unexpectedly encountered an unprecedented situation.
For us, it is categorically unacceptable to use the name of the Venerable Father Gabriel, an archimandrite, confessor and holy fool, for a military unit. The life and spiritual struggle of the saint were entirely devoted to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and to preaching love and compassion for others.
It is also deeply disturbing that some clergy of the Russian Church support such an unacceptable use of the Venerable Father’s name.
It appears that the authors of this initiative are poorly acquainted with the life of Saint Gabriel. Against this background, this action appears to be a biased attempt to exploit the name of the Church.
The Georgian Orthodox Church distances itself from the use of the name of the Venerable Gabriel the Confessor and Holy Fool to justify or support military action.”
Gabriel Urgebadze unit
