An Orthodox Life of St Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn
(+ 14/27 February 1915)
St Raphael was born in Syria in 1860 to pious Orthodox parents, Michael Hawaweeny and his second wife Mariam, the daughter of a priest in Damascus. The exact date of his birth is not known, but it was near his namesday on 8 November (21 November on the secular calendar). Due to the violent persecution of Orthodox, when their parish priest St Joseph of Damascus (10 July) and his companions were martyred, the Hawaweeny family was forced to flee to Beirut for safety. It was here that the future saint first saw the light of day. Indeed, as the child’s life unfolded, it was evident that he would have no abiding city in this world, but would seek the city which is to come.
He was baptized ‘Rafla’ in Beirut on the Feast of the Theophany 1861 and that spring the family was able to return to Damascus. The child attended elementary school, where he did very well, but in 1874 it became clear that Michael Hawaweeny would no longer be able to afford his son’s tuition. Fortunately, help came from Deacon Athanasius Atallah (later Metropolitan of Homs), who recommended to Patriarch Hierotheus of Antioch that he be accepted as a student of the Patriarchate in preparation for the priesthood. He was such a good student that he was selected to be a substitute teaching assistant in 1877. The following year he was appointed as a teacher of Arabic and Turkish. On 28 March 1879 he was tonsured monk by Patriarch Hierotheus, and served as His Beatitude’s cell attendant.
Since the seminary at Balamand had been closed in 1840, Patriarch Joachim III of Constantinople invited the Patriarch of Antioch to send at least one deserving student to study on scholarship at the School of Theology at Halki and the future Saint Raphael was selected. On 8 December 1885 he was ordained to the diaconate. In July 1886 the young deacon received his Certificate of Theology and returned to his homeland in the hope of serving the Church there. Patriarch Gerasimus of Antioch was impressed with Deacon Raphael and often took him with him on pastoral visits to his parishes. Indeed, when His Beatitude could not be present, the deacon was asked to preach.
Deacon Raphael was not satisfied with his knowledge and thirsted to learn more. This did not stem from pride, but from his fervent desire to benefit others. Therefore, he asked Patriarch Gerasimus to permit him to study at a school in Russia, promising to return and serve as the Patriarch’s Russian-language secretary. The Patriarch gave his blessing and Deacon Raphael was accepted as a student at the Theological Academy in Kiev. In 1889 Patriarch Gerasimus ordered the young deacon to take over as head of the Antiochian Dependancy in Moscow. He was ordained to the holy priesthood by Bishop Sylvester, the Rector of the Academy, at the request of Patriarch Gerasimus. A month later, he was raised to the rank of Archimandrite by Metropolitan Ioannicius of Moscow and confirmed as head of the Antiochian Dependancy.
After two years, Archimandrite Raphael was able to reduce the representation’s debt by 15,000 roubles. He also arranged for twenty-four Syrian students to come to Russia to further their education. When Patriarch Gerasimus resigned in order to accept the See of Jerusalem, Archimandrite Raphael regarded this as an opportunity to free the Arab Church of Antioch from its domination by Greek bishops, who treated it as a colony. Burning with love for the Church of Antioch and wishing to restore the administration of the Church to its native clergy and people, Archimandrite Raphael began a campaign, writing letters to Antiochian bishops and influential laymen. He also wrote articles in the Russian press, drawing attention to the plight of Antioch. His courageous efforts did not meet with success, however, and there was a price to pay for telling the truth.
In November 1891 Metropolitan Spyridon, a Greek Cypriot, was elected Patriarch of Antioch. He had probably purchased the election by distributing 10,000 lira to notable people in Damascus, as was the custom in the East at that time and more recently. Archimandrite Raphael refused to commemorate the new Patriarch during services at his church in Moscow. As a result, he was suspended by Patriarch Spyridon. Archimandrite Raphael accepted his suspension and continued to write articles in Russian newspapers in defence of the Antiochian cause. The Greek Patriarchs of Antioch, Constantinople, Alexandria and Jerusalem successfully petitioned to forbid Russian newspapers from publishing his articles.
With this door closed to him, Fr Raphael began to publish his writings in book form. Eventually, Patriarch Spyridon wrote to the Assistant Overprocurator of the Russian Synod, a friend of Fr Raphael, asking him to persuade Fr Raphael to ask for the Patriarch’s forgiveness. He did so and the suspension was lifted. Fr Raphael was allowed to transfer from the jurisdiction of Antioch to the Church of Russia and remain there. He went to Kazan, taking a position as instructor in Arabic studies at the theological academy. He remained there until 1895, when he was invited by the Syrian Orthodox Benevolent Society of New York to be the priest of the Arab Orthodox there.
When Fr Raphael heard of the needs of his countrymen who were scattered across a foreign land, he crossed the ocean to labour in another foreign country. He arrived in New York on 2 November 1895 and was welcomed by a delegation of Arab Orthodox who were awaiting their leader from Russia. On 5 November, his first Sunday in America, he assisted the Russian Bishop of America, Bishop Nicholas, in serving the Divine Liturgy at the Russian church in New York City. Less than two weeks after his arrival, Fr Raphael found a suitable place in lower Manhattan to set up a chapel and furnished it with items that he had brought with him from Russia. Bishop Nicholas consecrated the chapel to St Nicholas.
This zealous priest remained in New York teaching, preaching and celebrating the divine services for his parishioners. It was not long, however, before he heard of smaller communities of Arab Orthodox scattered throughout the length and breadth of North America. Since these Arab immigrants had no priest to care for them, it was not surprising that some had neglected their faith. This was a concern for Fr Raphael throughout the course of his life. Although, obviously, he was not opposed to friendly relations with Non-Orthodox based on shared beliefs, Fr Raphael never lost sight of the clear line of distinction that exists between the Orthodox and the heterodox and had to warn the faithful against attending heterodox organizations.
The Orthodoxy of Fr Raphael’s life and teaching was shown over and over again by his words and his actions. He always upheld and defended the spotless Orthodox Faith which was ‘delivered to the saints’. Although at first he did not understand the teachings of the heterodox, he soon saw how far they were from Orthodox teaching. When he realized this, he took steps to protect his flock from harmful influences. He directed his people not to attend heterodox services lest they become confused by ‘divers and strange doctrines’. He believed it would be preferable for the head of the household to read the Hours at home from the service book, when it was not possible to go to church.
In summer 1896 Fr Raphael undertook the first of several pastoral journeys across the continent. He visited thirty cities between New York and San Francisco, seeking out the lost sheep in cities, towns and on isolated farms. He fed the spiritually hungry people with the Word of God in each place where he stopped. He performed marriages, baptisms, heard confessions and celebrated the liturgy in the homes of the faithful where there was no church building. In other words, he zealously fulfilled his ministry as a preacher of the Gospel, enduring many hardships and afflictions and was watchful in all things concerning the care of his flock.
In 1898, with the blessing of Bishop Nicholas, Fr Raphael produced his first book in the New World – an Arab service book called The Book of True Consolation in the Divine Prayers. This book of liturgical services and prayers was very useful to priests in celebrating the divine services, and also to the people in their personal prayer life. Between May and November 1898, Fr Raphael set off on his second pastoral tour. During this trip he became convinced of the need for Arabic-speaking priests to serve in the new churches he had established. When he returned to New York, he made a report to Bishop Nicholas expressing these concerns. With Bishop Nicholas’ blessing, Fr Raphael was able to bring educated priests from Syria. He also sought out educated laymen whom he could recommend for ordination. Both as an Archimandrite and later as Bishop, St Raphael would appoint pastors only after obtaining the blessing of the Russian hierarch who headed the American Mission.
This was the normal state of affairs in America at the time. Fr Raphael welcomed Bishop (later St) Tikhon when the latter replaced Bishop Nicholas as the ruling bishop in America. On 15 December, St Tikhon came to serve the Liturgy at the Syrian church of St Nicholas. Raphael told his people that their new Archpastor was one who ‘has been sent here to tend the flock of Christ – Russians, Slavs, Syro-Arabs and Greeks – which is scattered across the entire North American continent’. At that time, thank God, there were no parallel jurisdictions based on mere nationality. The Church united those of diverse backgrounds under the protection of the Russian Archbishop. This was the norm until the Russian Revolution, after which petty nationalism and secular chauvinism began to disrupt Church life both inside and outside Russia, including in North America.
In March 1899, Fr Raphael received permission from Bishop Tikhon to start collecting funds for a cemetery and to build a new church to replace the chapel, located in an old building on a dirty street. In the spring he left on another pastoral tour of forty-three cities and towns. Travelling by land and sea and undeterred by the obstacles and difficulties before him, he spent seven months in the north-eastern, southern and mid-western regions of the United States. Fr Raphael ministered to Greeks and Russians as well as Arabs, performing weddings and baptisms, and regularizing the weddings of Orthodox people who had married outside the Church. He also chrismated children who had been baptized by Roman Catholic priests.
In Johnstown, Pennsylvania, he reconciled those whose personal enmity threatened to divide the Arab community. Although civil courts had been unable to make peace, St Raphael restored calm and put an end to a bitter feud. While in Johnstown, he received a telegram informing him that Metropolitan Meletios (Doumani) had been elected Patriarch of Antioch. With great joy Fr Raphael told his people that for the first time in 168 years, a native Arab had been chosen as primate of the Church of Antioch. His long-term battle against Greek colonialism which had begun in Russia had been won. After the new Patriarch had been installed, Archimandrite Raphael was put forward to succeed Metropolitan Meletios as Metropolitan of Latakia in Syria. The Patriarch, however, stated that the Holy Synod could not elect Fr Raphael because of his important work in America. In 1901 Metropolitan Gabriel of Beirut wrote to Archimandrite Raphael asking him to be his auxiliary bishop, but he declined, saying that he could not leave his American flock. First, he wanted to build a permanent church and acquire a parish cemetery.
The latter goal was achieved in August 1901 when Fr Raphael a section of Mt Olivet cemetery on Long Island. In December 1901 Archimandrite Raphael was elected Bishop of Zahleh. Patriarch Meletios sent a telegram congratulating him and asking him to return. Fr Raphael thanked the Patriarch, but again declined higher office. He said that he wished to complete the project of building a church for the Syrian community in New York. The following year, he bought an existing church building on Pacific St. in Brooklyn, and had it remodelled for Orthodox worship. Bishop Tikhon consecrated the church to the great joy of the faithful in attendance. Thus, Fr Raphael’s second project was completed.
Since the number of parishes within the Diocese of North America was growing, Bishop Tikhon found it impossible to visit all of them. The diocese had to be reorganized in order to administer it more efficiently. Therefore, Bishop Tikhon submitted a plan to the Russian Holy Synod to transfer the See from San Francisco to New York because most parishes and individuals were concentrated in the east. Since various ethnic groups required special attention and pastoral leadership, Bishop Tikhon proposed that Fr Raphael be made his second vicar bishop, the Bishop of Alaska being his first.
In 1903 the Holy Synod of Russia unanimously elected Fr Raphael to be Bishop of Brooklyn, while retaining him as head of the Syro-Arab Orthodox Mission in North America. The Holy Synod announced the election to Patriarch Meletios, who was pleased by their decision. Bishop Tikhon wrote to Fr Raphael to inform him of his election and he accepted. Thus, on the third Sunday of Lent 1904, Fr Raphael became the first Orthodox bishop to be consecrated on American soil. Bishop Tikhon and his vicar, Bishop Innocent, performed the service at St Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn. The new bishop’s vestments were a gift from the future Tsar-Martyr, Nicholas II. Following his consecration, Bishop Raphael continued his pastoral labours, ordaining priests, assigning them to parishes and helping Bishop Tikhon.
At the end of 1904 Bishop Raphael announced his intention to publish a journal called Al-Kalimat (The Word) as the official publication of the Syro-Arab mission. This would help to link the people and parishes of his diocese more closely together. Bishop Raphael knew that he could not visit all Orthodox Christians across North America in person, but through the ministry of the printed word, he could preach the word of salvation even to people he would never meet. The content was to be spiritual, moral and churchly so that the journal could reinforce people in their Faith. The Word would focus on five primary topics: dogmatic truths, ethical teaching, historical and contemporary church subjects, a chronicle of baptisms, weddings, etc., and official pronouncements. The first issue was printed in January 1905 and Saint Raphael considered this milestone as one equal in importance to the acquisition of St Nicholas Cathedral and the parish cemetery.
In July 1905 Bishop Raphael consecrated the grounds for St Tikhon’s Monastery and blessed the orphanage at South Canaan, Pennsylvania. Three days later, he presided at a conference of diocesan clergy at Old Forge, Pennsylvania, because Archbishop Tikhon was in San Francisco. Among the clergy in attendance were three who would also be numbered among the saints: Fr Alexis Toth, Fr Alexander Khotovitsky, and Fr John Kochurov (the latter two were later martyred by the Communists in Russia). For the next ten years Bishop Raphael tended his growing flock. With the growth of his New York community came an increase in the number of children and he was concerned about their future. He wanted to establish an evening school to educate them in an Orthodox atmosphere, because the future of the Church depended on the instruction of the young. Children who did not speak Arabic were already going to Non-Orthodox churches where Sunday school classes were conducted in English. Bishop Raphael saw the need to use English in worship and in education.
In March of 1907 the future St Tikhon had to return to Russia and was replaced by Archbishop Platon. Once again Bishop Raphael was considered for episcopal office in Syria, being nominated to succeed Patriarch Gregory as Metropolitan of Tripoli in 1908. However, that was not to be. On the Sunday of Orthodoxy 1911, Bishop Raphael was honoured for his fifteen years of pastoral ministry in America. The Russian Archbishop Platon presented him with an icon of Christ and praised him for his work. In his humility, Bishop Raphael could not understand why he should be honoured merely for doing his duty. He considered himself an ‘unworthy servant’, yet he did perfectly the work that fell to his lot.
Toward the end of 1912, Bishop Raphael fell ill while working in his office. Doctors diagnosed him with a heart ailment. After two weeks he felt strong enough to celebrate the liturgy in his Cathedral. In 1913-1914 Bishop Raphael continued to make pastoral visits to various cities. In 1915 he fell ill again and spent two months at home, bearing his illness with patience. At 12.40 am on February 14/27 he rested from his labours. They called him, but he did not answer – he had left this earthly life.
From his youth up, Bishop Raphael’s greatest joy had been to serve the Church. When he came to America, he found his people scattered abroad, and he called them to unity. He never neglected his flock, but travelled throughout America, Canada and Mexico in search of them so that he might care for them. He kept them from straying into strange pastures, protecting them from spiritual harm. During twenty years of faithful ministry he nurtured them and helped them to grow. At the time of his death, the Syro-Arab Mission had 25,000 faithful and thirty parishes. Bishop Raphael was also a scholar and the author of several books. He wrote many, if not most, of the articles that appeared in The Word. He served his own Arab community and also reached out to Greeks and Russians, speaking to them in their own language. He became fluent in English, encouraging its use where necessary.
Bishop Raphael came into contact with all sorts of people, and was a gentle father to them. He gained their love and respect by first loving them, and also through his charming personality and excellent character. He was always kind, merciful and condescending with others, but was strict with himself. He accomplished many good things during his earthly life, and now he joins the holy angels in offering unceasing prayer and praise to God. On the discovery that his relics were incorrupt and sweetly scented, Bishop Raphael was canonized in the Year 2000. Many attribute the rapid growth in the Antiochian Archdiocese in North America in the last few years to his heavenly intercessions.
Holy Hierarch Father Raphael, Pray to God for us!
(editor’s note: There is no connection between St Raphael and the present so-called “Antiochian” jurisdiction in the US. The latter is not a logical outgrowth of his work, which was under the omophor of the legitmate Russian hierarchy of the American mission. Any connections drawn by that group and St Raphael are disingenuous at best, and are reflections of the ambitions of the hierarch of that jurisdiction, not historical truth.)
