H.G. Bishop Anba Gabriel

Born on 23 April 1959 in Bani Mazar, al-Minya. He completed his doctorate in medicine and surgery in 1982 and practised as a surgeon for seven years.

In 1991 he entered the Monastery of St Anba Bishoy in Wadi El Natroun, was tonsured a monk in 1992 and ordained priest in 1995. Pope Shenouda III then entrusted him with the Coptic communities in Germany and Switzerland.

On 17 June 2000 he was consecrated bishop, the first of the newly founded diocese for Austria and German-speaking Switzerland, seated in Vienna. His solemn enthronement followed on 5 June 2004.

His principle that every community should have a church of its own has shaped the map of the diocese — from Linz through Klagenfurt and Innsbruck to Wernstein am Inn.

In 2001 he bought Prince Eugene's former manor in Obersiebenbrunn and founded St Anthony's Monastery there, today his seat. The Holy Synod recognised it in 2013; ten monks live there now.

In 2020 he founded St Anne's Convent in Schönfeld — the first Coptic convent in Austria, officially recognised on 2 June 2023.

Anba Gabriel is a member of the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria and keeps close relations with the other Christian churches of the country.

Under his leadership the Coptic community in Austria and German-speaking Switzerland is served by more than 30 priests and deacons in over 17 churches, communities and centres.