Gavril Svetogorec

• Honorific Prefix — Saint • Name — Gavril Svetogorec • Birth Name — Mijalče Parnadžiev • Born — 10 March 1926 • Birthplace — Štip, Kingdom of Yugoslavia • Died — 12 January 1990 • Place of death — Lesnovo Monastery, SFR Yugoslavia • Venerated In — Eastern Orthodox Church • Canonized Date — 28 May 2017 • Canonized By — Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric • Feast Day — 12 January • Titles — Bishop of Velika

He was born as Mijalče Parnadžiev on 10 March 1926 in Štip, Kingdom of Yugoslavia, to Eastern Orthodox parents. Parnadžiev graduated from primary school and high school in Štip. In 1944, Parnadžiev joined the Yugoslav Partizans, becoming involved in World War II in Yugoslav Macedonia. Later, he became part of a defense unit stationed on the borders, including in Delčevo, Kavadarci, and the Kajmakčalan mountain. According to Macedonian Orthodox Church's hagiography, due to his service, Parnadžiev was recommended for membership in the Communist Party of Yugoslavia, but he was excluded because he went to church. He earned the rank of sergeant and was awarded the Order of Merit for People. After the war, Parnadžiev worked in the People's Committee in Štip and participated in public works projects, including in New Belgrade. In 1955, he graduated in sculpture from the University of Belgrade. He worked as a professor of art in the Štip gymnasium and made sculptures that were placed around the city. From 1963, Parnadžiev served as a monk of Agiou Pavlou Monastery at Mount Athos, where he gained ascetic experience. There he took the monastic name Gavril (Gabriel), after the archangel Gabriel. After returning to Yugoslav Macedonia in 1971, he continued his monastic asceticism, staying in monasteries in the Skopje region, such as "St. Mary" in the village Pobožje, "St. Mary" at Matka Canyon, and the Markov monastery, "St. Demetrius". He became the abbot of Lesnovo Monastery In December 1975. His father also came to the monastery, becoming a monk named Kiril. After six years serving in Lesnovo Monastery, the Holy Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church appointed him as an archimandrite on 30 June 1981. He spent the rest of his life in Lesnovo Monastery as a hermit and ascetic. He advocated for monastic renewal in Yugoslav Macedonia and became the spiritual father of many Orthodox believers, familiarizing them with Jesus Prayer. Shortly before his death, the Holy Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church consecrated him as Bishop of Velika on 28 August 1989. Internal conflicts in the Macedonian Orthodox Church affected his consecration. He died on 12 January 1990 at Lesnovo Monastery.