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During this time he became acquainted with the Orthodox Christian parishes in Belgium and the Netherlands which led him to refuse ordination to minor orders in the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. In January 1974, he was received into the communion of the Orthodox Church at the Parish of St. Andrew in Ghent.
On [[October 5]], 1975, he was [[ordination|ordained]] a celibate [[deacon]] by Archbishop George [[Georges (Tarassoff) of Syracuse ]] in the Crypt of the Holy Trinity Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky in Paris. On [[June 27]], 1976, he was ordained [[priest]] also by Abp. George Georges in Holy Trinity Cathedral.
In 1977, he was assigned as first priest of the parish of Saint-Jean-Chrysostome in Maastricht, Netherlands. During this time he also participates in the establishment of parishes in Deventer, Breda, and Antwerp. On [[March 9]], 1985, he was elevated to [[archpriest]]. On [[December 12]], 1992, he was appointed rector of the parish of St. Alexander Nevsky in Liege, Belgium by Abp. George [[Georges (Wagner)of Evdokia|Georges (Wagner)]].
On [[May 11]], 1994, he took his [[monasticism|monastic]] vows, with the name Gabriel, before Abp. Sergius of Eucarpie, at St. Sergius in Paris. On [[December 10]], 1995, he was elevated to an [[abbot]] and on [[December 20]], 1998 to [[archimandrite]]. On [[December 17]], 1998, he was appointed rector of the parish of Maastricht, while retaining his duties in Liege.