V. Rev. Archimandrite Gabriel Hanley

(Icon of the Taxiarche Mantamados ~~Monastery of the Taxiarche --Mantamados, Lesbos, Greece)

Fr. Gabriel is available via email if you would like to contact him: frphanley@transfiguration.va.goarch.org

Father Gabriel's message on the Eve of the Nativity Fast:

My Beloved Faithful of Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church,

In anticipation of the New Born-King, and on the eve of the Nativity Fast, I offer these words in regard to fasting.  Specifically, concerning false piety or outward piety only.  We know that fasting has three components.  These three components comprise the most basic aspects of spiritual living.  They are, praying more, fasting from certain foods -at certain times, and finally giving alms/charity.

 In the Gospel of Matthew, we read:

““Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6: 1-8)

In the Gospel the word hypocrite is used to describe such people who display such false piety.  The original meaning of the word hypocrite was actor.  In other words, someone who is displaying such actions without any meaning behind them.  They are simply practicing piety for show, not to please God, and not for spiritual growth.  In the modern vernacular the term used to describe this is Cosplay {costume play}.  Whatever word is used old or new the misuse of piety is clear –it is for selfish reasons not spiritual ones.

 The Church lays out for us a number of fasting periods throughout the year.  The purpose of those periods is to draw closer to God.  The Nativity Fast (Called Advent in the West) is --that time (40 days) prior to the birth of Christ (Christmas).  The confusing issue for all of us is that the world is telling us that Christmas is a joyous time; a time of celebration.   More realistically the world is telling us to behave in a carefree manner, to buy into commercialism, and not worry so much about the religious aspect of the Holiday Season. 

The Nativity itself, is an event that is a continuation from the Annunciation.  It is in fact, the realization of the Annunciation to the Theotokos.  God (the Son), takes upon Himself our complete nature while remaining completely God.  This birth, this manifestation of God, is for our sakes, not God’s.  He is the creator.  Not simply of mankind but the entirety of creation.  Everything in the Universe was created by the Triune God.  Furthermore, this humbling and salvific act by God, on behalf of His Creation, is solely for returning us back to Paradise.  Christ’s birth is always connected to His Death and Resurrection.  There is no separating the two events.  To speak of one is to speak of the other.  We fast before this Nativity of the Lord to prepare ourselves as best as is possible to receive the New-Born-King.  To draw as close to God as is possible.  But those displaying false piety (outward only piety) are not concerned with drawing close to God or even with Christ’s birth.  They are much like those pushing commercialism and consumerism in our society today.  Their outward display of piety is for everyone to see it has nothing to do with drawing closer to God. 

Indeed, these people displaying this type of piety influence many.  As confused as our society is today about commercialism and consumerism the faithful are confused and distracted by false piety.  So, on the eve of this Nativity fast I urge everyone to adhere to what Christ tells us in the Gospel of Matthew.   It makes no sense to rejoice before the Feast has arrived and even less sense to display false piety (1 Cor. 5-8).  Please remember my brothers and sisters, piety is meant for the Good of the soul.  Not the viewing pleasure of my neighbor.

+Archimandrite Gabriel Hanley

Brief Biographical information:

Prior to full-time life in the ministry of the Church, Father Gabriel’s background was primarily in public-service (Law Enforcement) both in the civilian and military.  Father Gabriel began his career in Law Enforcement with a University Police Department (NMIMT) in Central New Mexico in 1996.  During this same time period, the opportunity would present itself, to enlist in the New Mexico Air National Guard; at that time the 150th Fighter Wing, today the 150th has been re-tasked, as the 150th Special Operations Wing.   He enlisted and after completion of Basic Military Training and Security Police Technical School at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX, he was assigned to the 150th Security Forces Squadron (NMANG). In January of 1997, he accepted a full-time position with the City of Socorro Police Department in Central New Mexico.  To pursue advancement opportunities and further career objectives a year later, Father Gabriel would enter on active duty in the U.S.A.F., leaving civilian Law Enforcement for Military Law Enforcement.

During his time in the Air Force, Father Gabriel was deployed to many different locations throughout the world, in support of different Military Operations.  Including, Operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and the Global War on Terrorism, as well as numerous other deployments for local exercises.  Many of these deployments also were in support of  NATO in Europe.  Father’s primary specialty in the Air Force was Security Police (now renamed Security Forces in the Air Force),  and he was also assigned to the 64th Weapons of Mass Destruction –Civil Support Team (this unit’s primary mission was to assist civilian authorities in the event of a terrorist attack.) In the fall of 2002, Father Gabriel was Honorably Discharged, due to medical issues, that arose as a result of his service.  At the end of 2002, Father Gabriel would enter Seminary, at Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. In 2005, Father completed his Bachelor’s degree and in 2008 the Master of Divinity Degree. 

Father Gabriel is originally from Paramus, NJ.  His Parents of blessed memory are from Lesbos, Greece (Mother --Despina) and Father (Robert Sr.) is of Irish decent.  His mother was Greek Orthodox and his father Roman Catholic.  Although Father was always raised in the Greek Orthodox Church. He is the oldest of three siblings.  Originally,  named after his father, his given name is Robert E. Hanley Jr., and when Baptized, he was given the name Panagioti (August 15^th).  On March 10^th, 2025, he was given the new Ecclesiastical name of GABRIEL (March 26^th), by Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, when he was elevated to the Rank of Archimandrite.

After Seminary, Father Gabriel was released from the Holy Metropolis of Denver and began working at the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey Headquarters, as a Deacon, for then, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey (now Sardis). 

After being Ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 2014, he was assigned to St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA, as a second Priest.  He was in this position for approximately 1 year and 3 months.

In 2015 he was assigned to Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, Charlottesville, VA, as the Priest-in-Charge (Proistamenos). He continues in this position today.

Ordinations:

Holy Deaconate: December 16th, 2007, –by the Hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan ISIAIAH of Denver, at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Denver, CO.

Holy Priesthood: January 19^th, 2014, --by the Hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan EVANGLEOS of Sardis (formerly of New Jersey) at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Toms River, New Jersey

Offikion:

Elevated to Archimandrite –March 10^th, 2025, by Metropolitan APOSTOLOS of New Jersey –At St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Ocean City, MD.