Who is Father Giovanni from Meetings with Remarkable Men and what is their importance?

Father Giovanni teaches great wisdom to Gurdjieff and Professor Skridlov over their six-month stay at a World Brotherhood monastery. One of the biggest insights that Father Giovanni offers is that concerns about the self and family are less important than concerning self with values gained from the seeking of true faith. The impact of Father Giovanni's teachings stay with the men all through life, and even brings tears to Professor Skridlov as he looks over the magnificence of creation from a mountain top with Gurdjieff.