Saint Raphael of Brooklyn: The First Orthodox Bishop Consecrated in North America — Life, Miracles, and Prayers

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Introduction: Who Was Saint Raphael of Brooklyn?

Saint Raphael of Brooklyn is one of the most beloved saints of the Orthodox Church in America — the first Orthodox bishop ever consecrated on North American soil, a tireless shepherd of the diverse immigrant Orthodox communities of the New World, and a man of extraordinary personal holiness, pastoral energy, and ecumenical vision. He was born in Antioch, served in Russia, and came to America to care for the scattered Syrian and Arab Orthodox faithful who had emigrated to the United States and Canada in the late nineteenth century. He traveled tens of thousands of miles by train, boat, and horse, visiting communities from New York to California, celebrating the Liturgy in living rooms and rented halls, and holding together a flock that had no bishop and no permanent institutional home. He reposed in 1915 and was glorified by the Orthodox Church in America in 2000 — the first saint glorified by that Church.

Early Life and Formation

Birth and Education

Raphael Hawaweeny was born on November 3, 1860, in Beirut, Lebanon — then part of the Ottoman Empire — into a devout Antiochian Orthodox family. His father was a deacon, and Raphael showed from his earliest years the combination of intellectual gifts, linguistic ability, and pastoral sensitivity that would define his entire ministry. He was educated at the Patriarchal School in Damascus, where he excelled in Arabic, Greek, and theology, and was ordained a deacon and then a priest. He later studied at the Kiev Theological Academy in Russia, where he mastered Russian and deepened his theological formation, and served as a professor of Arabic at the St. Petersburg Theological Seminary.

Mission to America

Arrival and the Challenge of the New World

In 1895, Raphael was sent to New York City to care for the growing community of Syrian and Arab Orthodox immigrants who had no priest and no bishop of their own. He arrived to find a community scattered across the eastern seaboard and beyond, worshipping in borrowed spaces, without adequate pastoral care, and in danger of drifting away from the Church entirely. He threw himself into the work with characteristic energy — learning English, establishing a parish in Brooklyn, founding the first Arabic-language Orthodox newspaper in America, and beginning the endless travel that would characterize his entire American ministry.

Consecration as Bishop

In 1904, Raphael was consecrated as Bishop of Brooklyn — the first Orthodox bishop ever consecrated on North American soil. The consecration took place in New York, with Bishop Tikhon of the Russian Orthodox Church in America (the future Patriarch and Confessor) presiding. As bishop, Raphael's pastoral reach expanded dramatically. He traveled throughout the United States and Canada, visiting Syrian, Arab, Greek, Serbian, and other Orthodox communities, celebrating the Liturgy, hearing confessions, baptizing, marrying, and burying. He is estimated to have traveled over 75,000 miles during his years of episcopal ministry — an extraordinary achievement in the era before air travel.

Pastoral Vision

Raphael's vision for Orthodoxy in America was ahead of its time. He understood that the various ethnic Orthodox communities of the New World needed to grow together into a unified American Orthodox Church, rather than remaining permanently divided along ethnic lines. He worked closely with Bishop Tikhon toward this vision, and his pastoral care extended to Orthodox faithful of all ethnic backgrounds, not only to his own Syrian and Arab flock. He translated liturgical texts into English and Arabic, making the worship of the Church accessible to communities that had no clergy who could serve in their language.

Personal Holiness

Those who knew Raphael personally testified to his extraordinary holiness — his deep prayer life, his gift of discernment, his ability to read the hearts of those who came to him, and his boundless compassion for the suffering. He was known for his warmth, his humor, and his ability to make everyone who came to him feel seen and valued. He fasted severely, prayed the full daily cycle of services whenever possible, and gave generously to the poor from his own limited resources. He bore the physical sufferings of his later years — he was in poor health for much of his episcopal ministry — with patience and without complaint.

Repose and Glorification

Saint Raphael reposed in the Lord on February 27, 1915, in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 54. He was buried at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn. He was glorified by the Orthodox Church in America on May 27, 2000 — the first saint glorified by that Church — with his feast day established on February 27, the anniversary of his repose.

Miracles and Intercessions

Saint Raphael of Brooklyn is invoked especially for:

• Orthodox Christians in America and the New World
• Immigrants and those far from their homeland
• Those seeking to build up the Church in new places
• Bishops, priests, and all in pastoral ministry
• Those working toward the unity of Orthodox Christians
• Arabic-speaking Orthodox Christians throughout the world
• Those who are sick or suffering and need pastoral care
• Travelers and those who minister to scattered communities

Feast Day

• February 27 (February 27, New Calendar): The repose and primary feast day of Saint Raphael of Brooklyn

Prayers to Saint Raphael of Brooklyn

Troparion (Tone 4)

O holy hierarch Raphael, first bishop consecrated on the soil of the New World: thou didst cross the vast land of America to gather the scattered flock of Christ, celebrating the Liturgy in humble places and holding together communities that had no shepherd. Thou art the father of Orthodox Christianity in America. Intercede with Christ our God that He may grant unity to His Church in the New World and mercy to our souls.

Prayer for Orthodox Christians in America

O holy hierarch Raphael, shepherd of the New World and father of American Orthodoxy: you who traveled tens of thousands of miles to bring the sacraments to scattered communities of immigrants who had no one to care for them — intercede for us before the throne of God. Grant us a share of your vision for a unified Orthodox Church in America, your love for souls that transcended ethnic boundaries, and your tireless energy in the service of the Gospel. Help us to build up the Church in this land as you built it up, one community at a time, with patience and love. O holy Raphael, pray to God for us. Amen.

Short Prayer

O holy hierarch Raphael of Brooklyn, first bishop of the New World: intercede for us before Christ our God, that He may grant unity to His Church in America and salvation to our souls. Amen.

Iconographic Depiction

Saint Raphael of Brooklyn is depicted in Orthodox iconography with features drawn from the many photographs taken of him during his lifetime:

• Bishop's Vestments: Wearing the full vestments of a bishop, including the omophorion and the episcopal staff
• Dark Beard and Hair: His distinctive dark beard and hair, familiar from photographs, are preserved in his iconographic depiction
• The American Landscape: Sometimes shown with the New York skyline or the Brooklyn Bridge in the background — reflecting his identity as the bishop of the New World
• Blessing Hand: His right hand raised in the episcopal blessing
• Warm, Pastoral Face: His expression combines episcopal authority with the warmth and accessibility of a pastor who made everyone feel welcomed

Honor Saint Raphael of Brooklyn

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Related Saints and Themes

• Saint Tikhon of Moscow: Raphael's bishop and collaborator in America, who consecrated him as the first bishop on American soil and shared his vision for a unified American Orthodox Church
• Saint John Maximovitch: Fellow hierarch of the Orthodox diaspora whose tireless pastoral ministry in the West mirrors that of Raphael in America
• Saint Herman of Alaska: Fellow North American saint whose mission to Alaska preceded Raphael's mission to the continental United States
• Saint Innocent of Alaska: The great missionary bishop of Alaska and America whose work prepared the ground for Raphael's ministry
• Saint Nicholas of Japan: Fellow missionary bishop of the same era whose mission to Japan parallels Raphael's mission to America in its scope and its fruit

May Saint Raphael of Brooklyn, the first bishop of the New World and father of American Orthodoxy, intercede for us all — especially for Orthodox Christians in America, for immigrants far from their homeland, and for all who labor to build up the Church in new places. Holy hierarch Raphael, pray to God for us!