ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (WJXT) – A Florida priest preparing to return to the pulpit says divine help saved him from a near-fatal stabbing attack last month.

Matt Marino, a pastor in the Episcopal Diocese of Florida, was allegedly drinking coffee and talking with a woman named Ariena Gibbs, 22, when she pulled out a rusty knife and stabbed him in the chest. On October 23, St. He is still recovering from the attack in St. Augustine but is now making plans to return to the pulpit.

“This is the most surprising moment,” Marino said. “I think what he said was: ‘I have problems.’ When you say this to a pastor our first reaction is always, ‘Well, tell us your story.’ I leaned forward, he leaned forward, took out the rusty knife, stabbed it and pulled it out. “I think, ‘It feels like it’s come a really long way.'”

Marino says he made a deal with God right after he was stabbed that would allow him to live and walk his daughter down the aisle.

“It hit my lung and pulmonary artery,” he said of the attack. “I was lying there on the floor and talking to God: ‘God, I’d really rather… What if it wasn’t today, God? And it felt like God said yes.”

The attack left Marino with a broken rib, stab wounds and infection. He lost a lot of blood and had to be hospitalized, but he says he survived thanks to divine help.

“He’s the only guy in the county with the war chest seal. There’s a Customs and Border Control officer who personally developed the first aid program. He drives a long way to work, sees me, pulls me over, slaps me and saves my life,” Marino said.

Gibbs was arrested for the stabbing and charged with attempted second-degree murder. He is being held without bail.

Marino said the focus is not on telling a negative story and not on shaming the suspect. Instead, he says, he focuses on returning to his church and delivering a very important message.

“Forgiveness is available. Enjoy forgiveness. “God forgives you completely through Jesus Christ,” he said.

Marino also thanks the first responders who helped him.

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