Archimandrite Gabriel [Cook] fell asleep in the Lord on the morning of Thursday, September 10, 2009.
A convert from Byzantine Rite Catholicism, he was ordained to the diaconate in 1986 at Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY. The following year, he was ordained to the priesthood by His Eminence, Metropolitan Philip, at Saint Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Bayridge, NY. He served in the Western Rite Vicariate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. In February 1996, he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite by His Grace, Bishop Joseph of the Antiochian Archdiocese at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Portland, OR.
On November 22, 1997, Fr. Gabriel was tonsured a as a stavrophore monk by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox Church in America at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, PA.
Father Gabriel held a B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology from Holy Redeemer College and a Masters Masters in Theological Studies and Art History from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkley, CA. He also pursued graduate coursework in Eastern Theology at the Papal College Josephinium, Columbus, OH. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY in 1986. in 2006 he was a Doctoral Candidate at Harvard Divinity School.
Among his varied ministries and activities, Father Gabriel served as Ecumenical Officer on behalf of Metropolitan Philip to the Interfaith Clergy Council of Oregon from 1987 to 1997; president of the Oregon Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood from 1988-1997; and president of the Arizona Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood from 2000-2006.
Father Gabriel served Antiochian and OCA parishes, including Saint Michael Western Rite Antiochian Orthodox Mission, Seattle, WA; Saint Anne Mission [OCA], Albany, OR; and the Church of the Annunciation [OCA], Milwaukie, OR. In 1997, he was assigned to Saints Peter and Paul Church [OCA], Phoenix, AZ, which he served faithfullly until June 2006, after which he served at the Prescott, AZ Orthodox Community while being attached to Saint John of Shanghai Monastery.
Services will be held at the Prescott Orthodox Community, Prescott, AZ, on Friday, September 11 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 13, at 6:30 p.m.
May Father Gabriel’s memory be eternal!