Archimandrite

Archimandrite Gabriel an Orthodox monk from the Podlasie province in Poland is the founder and sole inhabitant of the Kudak grove hermitage by river Narew During his first few years there he lived and prayed in a wagon house without electricity running water or contact with the outside world After five years thanks to the help of people of Orthodox faith from local villages the grove saw the rise of a wooden church a dormitory for monks and outbuildings Pilgrims are drawn to the place by archimandrite Gabriels personality he can find common ground with anyone he grants spiritual advice heals with herbs and keeps bees When necessary he rolls up his sleeves and works on building the hermitage right alongside everyone else The archimandrites biggest concern is finding a successor Prospective monks dont last long in the hermitage however They cant stand the lack of access to civilization common comforts and contact with their peers