A significant religious event took place in the village of the Antiochian Archdiocese, where the relics of Saint Raphael (Hawaweeny), Bishop of Brooklyn, were discovered. Saint Raphael (†1915) holds the distinction of being the first Orthodox bishop consecrated on American soil.

Since 1988, his remains had rested in the village of the Antiochian Archdiocese. He was canonized by the Orthodox Church in America in 2000, with his feast day observed on February 14. The date of July 18 will now be commemorated as the day of the translation of his relics.

The rite of the uncovering of the relics was performed by Archbishop Saba of New York of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, in concelebration with clergy from both the Antiochian and American Orthodox Churches. A large gathering of faithful was present at the site, as noted by Father Andrew Damick on social media. The relics of Saint Raphael were ceremoniously exhumed and transferred to St. Nicholas Church in Brooklyn, which was founded by Saint Raphael.

The process of uncovering the relics was challenging, as water had flooded the cement vault, damaging the original wooden coffin of Saint Raphael and the graves of other priests buried with him. However, thanks to the efforts of clergy and laypeople, all remains were carefully retrieved and preserved. The relics of Saint Raphael will now be housed in a new reliquary for veneration by the faithful. Archbishop Saba delivered a sermon at the event, emphasizing the significance of the occasion and highlighting that the bodies of saints are temples of the Holy Spirit, which is why Orthodox Christians reject cremation.

Saint Raphael, born Rafla Hawaweeny in 1860 in Beirut, received his education at the Damascus Patriarchal School, the Patriarchal School of Halki in Constantinople, and the Kiev Theological Academy. He later served as the head of the Antiochian representation in Moscow and taught at the Kazan Theological Academy.

In 1895, he was sent to New York by decree of Tsar Nicholas II, and in 1904, he became the first Orthodox bishop consecrated in North America. His consecration was performed by Saint Tikhon, who was then leading the Church in America.

During his ministry, Saint Raphael founded St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York and 29 other parishes. He also played a pivotal role in establishing St. Tikhon's Monastery in Pennsylvania, where he was glorified in 2000.

Photo: Father Andrew Dеmick