St Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn (+ 1915)
Proclamation on the Glorification of Our Holy Father Bishop RAPHAEL (30-Apr-2000)
Our
holy Father Raphael was born in Syria in 1860 to pious Orthodox
parents, Michael Hawaweeny and his second wife Mariam, the daughter of a
priest of Damascus. The exact date of Raphael’s birth is not known, but
he estimated it to be on or near his Name Day, the Synaxis of the Holy
Archangels Michael and Gabriel and all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven
(November 8). Due to the violent persecution of Christians, at which
time their parish priest, St Joseph of Damascus (July 10) and his
companions were martyred, the Hawaweeny family was forced to flee to
Beirut for their safety. It was here that the future saint first saw the
light of day, and not in the city of his parents. Indeed, as the
child’s life unfolded, it was evident that he would have no continuing
city in this world, but would seek the city which is to come (Heb
13:14).
On the Feast of Theophany in 1861, he was baptized with
the name Rafla, and later that spring the family was able to return to
Damascus. The child attended elementary school, where he did very well,
but in 1874 it appeared 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 Rafla 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 March 28, 1879 he was tonsured as a monk by Patriarch
Hierotheus, and served as His Beatitude’s personal attendant.
Since
the Balamand Seminary 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 Saint Raphael was the one who was selected to go.
On
December 8, 1885, he was ordained to the diaconate at the school chapel.
In July of 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 along on his pastoral visitations of his parishes. When
His Beatitude could not be present, Deacon Raphael was asked to preach
the Word of God to the people.
Deacon Raphael was not satisfied
with the extent of his knowledge, and thirsted to learn even more. This
did not stem from personal pride or ambition, but came from his fervent
desire to benefit others. Truly, the words of King Solomon could be
applied to Saint Raphael: “Give an opportunity to a wise man, and he
will be wiser; instruct a just man, and he will receive more
instruction” (Proverbs 9:9). Therefore, he asked Patriarch Gerasimus to
permit him to do graduate studies 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 of Kiev.
In 1889 Patriarch
Gerasimus ordered the young deacon to take over as head of the
Antiochian representation church 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 IOANNIKII of Moscow, and was confirmed
as head of the Antiochian representation church. After two years,
Archimandrite Raphael was able to reduce the representation’s 65,000
ruble debt by 15,000 rubles. He also arranged for twenty-four Syrian
students to come to Russia to further their education, hoping that they
would return to Syria and teach others.
When Patriarch Gerasimus
resigned in order to accept the See of Jerusalem, Archimandrite Raphael
regarded this as an opportunity to free the Church of Antioch from its
domination by foreign hierarchs. Burning with love for the Church of
Antioch, and wishing to restore the administration of the church to its
own native clergy and people, Archimandrite Raphael began a campaign of
writing letters to some 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 his outspoken criticism.
In
November of 1891 Metropolitan SPYRIDON, a Greek Cypriot, was elected as
Patriarch of Antioch. Many Arabs believed that he had purchased the
election by distributing 10,000 lira to several notable people in
Damascus. Archimandrite Raphael refused to commemorate the new Patriarch
during services at the representation church. As a result, he was
suspended from his priestly functions by Patriarch SPYRIDON. Saint
Raphael accepted his suspension, but continued to write articles in
Russian newspapers in defense of the Antiochian cause. The Patriarchs of
Antioch, Constantinople, Alexandria, and Jerusalem successfully
petitioned the Tsar to forbid Russian newspapers from publishing his
articles. With this door closed to him, Saint Raphael began to publish
his writings in book form.
Eventually, Patriarch SPYRIDON wrote
to the Assistant Overprocurator of Russia, a friend of Saint Raphael’s,
asking him to persuade Father Raphael to ask for the Patriarch’s
forgiveness. He did so, and the suspension was lifted. Saint Raphael was
allowed to transfer from the jurisdiction of Antioch to the Church of
Russia, and to 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 come to that city to be the pastor of the Arab
Orthodox community.
When the holy Apostle Paul had a vision of a
man entreating him to come to Macedonia to help them (Acts 16:10), he
set off on a great missionary journey. When Saint Raphael heard of the
needs of his countrymen who were scattered in a strange land, he crossed
the ocean to labor in yet another foreign country.
Archimandrite
Raphael arrived in New York on November 2, 1895, and was welcomed by a
delegation of Arab Christians who were awaiting their leader from
Russia. On November 5, his first Sunday in America, he assisted Bishop
NICHOLAS in serving the Divine Liturgy at the Russian church in New York
city. Less than two weeks after his arrival, Archimandrite Raphael
found a suitable place in lower Manhattan to set up a chapel, and
furnished it with ecclesiastical items that he had brought with him from
Russia. Bishop NICHOLAS blessed the new chapel, which was dedicated to
St Nicholas of Myra.
This zealous pastor 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 Christians scattered throughout the length and
breadth of North America. Since these Arab immigrants had no pastor to
care for them, it was not surprising that some should turn to other
denominations, or completely neglect their religious duties. This was an
ongoing concern for Saint Raphael throughout the course of his
ministry. Although he was not opposed to dialogue with non-Orthodox
Christians, nor to friendly relations based on shared beliefs, Saint
Raphael never lost sight of the clear line of distinction that exists
between the Orthodox and the heterodox. He always insisted that any
church unity must be based on the teachings of the seven Ecumenical
Councils.
The Orthodoxy of Saint Raphael’s life and teaching was
demonstrated over and over again by his words and his actions. He always
upheld and defended the spotless Faith which was “delivered to the
saints” (Jude 3). Although at first he did not understand the teachings
of the heterodox, he later discovered how far removed they were from
Orthodox doctrine. 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” (Heb 13:9). 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 attend an Orthodox church.
In the summer of
1896, Saint Raphael undertook the first of several pastoral journeys
across the continent. He visited thirty cities between New York and San
Francisco, seeking out the Master’s 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 Divine 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 he was watchful in all things
concerning the care of his flock (2 Tim 4:5).
In 1898, with the
blessing of Bishop Nicholas, Saint Raphael produced his first book in
the New World -- an Arabic language 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. The English
version published by Archimandrite Seraphim Nassar is still being used
today.
Between May-November 1898, Saint 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’s blessing
Saint Raphael was able to bring qualified priests from Syria. He also
sought out educated laymen whom he could recommend for ordination. Both
as an archimandrite and later as bishop, Saint 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. Archimandrite Raphael welcomed Bishop Tikhon
when the latter replaced Bishop NICHOLAS as the ruling bishop in
America. On December 15, Saint 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, of course, there
were no parallel jurisdictions based on nationality. The Church united
those of diverse backgrounds under the omophorion of the Russian
Archbishop. This was the norm until the Russian Revolution disrupted
church life in Russia, and also in America.
In March of 1899,
Saint Raphael received permission from Bishop Tikhon to start collecting
funds for a cemetery, and for building a new church to replace the
chapel which was located in an old building on a dirty street. In the
spring he left on another pastoral tour of forty-three cities and towns.
Traveling by land and sea, and undeterred by the obstacles and
difficulties before him, he spent seven months in the northeastern,
southern, and midwestern regions of the United States. Saint Raphael
ministered to Greeks and Russians as well as Arabs, performing weddings
and baptisms, and regularizing the weddings of Orthodox people who had
been married by non-Orthodox clergy. He also chrismated some children
who had been baptized by Catholic priests.
In Johnstown, PA he
reconciled those whose personal enmity threatened to divide the Arabic
community. Although civil courts had been unable to make peace, Saint
Raphael restored calm and put an end to the bitter feud. While in
Johnstown, he received a telegram informing him that Metropolitan
Meletios (Doumani), had been elected Patriarch of Antioch. With great
joy St Raphael told his people that for the first time in 168 years, a
native Arab had been chosen as primate of the Antiochian Church.
After
the new Patriarch had been installed, Archimandrite Raphael was
proposed to succeed Meletios as Metropolitan of Latakia. The Patriarch,
however, stated that the Holy Synod could not elect Father 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 to acquire a
parish cemetery. The latter goal was achieved in August of 1901 when
Father Raphael purchased a section of Mt Olivet cemetery on Long Island.
In December of 1901 Archimandrite Raphael was elected as Bishop
of Zahleh. Patriarch Meletios sent a telegram congratulating him and
asking him to return. Father Raphael thanked the Patriarch, but again
declined higher office. He said that he wished to complete the project
of building a temple for the Syrian community in New York. The following
year, he bought an existing church building on Pacific St in Brooklyn,
and had it remodeled for Orthodox worship. Bishop Tikhon consecrated the
church to the great joy of the faithful in attendance. Thus, Saint
Raphael’s second major project was finished.
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 which would
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 Archimandrite Raphael be made his second vicar bishop
(the Bishop of Alaska would be his first).
In 1903, the Holy
Synod of Russia unanimously elected Archimandrite Raphael to be the
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 Saint Raphael to inform him of his election, and Father Raphael
sent him a letter of acceptance. Meanwhile, Fr Innocent Pustynsky was
consecrated as Tikhon’s first auxiliary bishop at St Petersburg’s
cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan.
On the third Sunday of Lent in
1904, Saint Raphael became the first Orthodox bishop to be consecrated
on American soil. Bishop Tikhon and Bishop Innocent performed the
service at St Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn. The new bishop’s vestments
were a gift from Tsar Nicholas II. Following his consecration, Bishop
Raphael continued his pastoral labors, ordaining priests and assigning
them to parishes, and helping Bishop Tikhon in the administration of the
diocese.
At the end of 1904, Bishop Raphael announced his
intention to publish a magazine 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
magazine could reinforce people in their Faith. The Word would focus on
five primary topics: dogmatic truths, ethical teaching, historical and
contemporary ecclesiastical 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 of 1905 Bishop Raphael consecrated the grounds
for St Tikhon’s Monastery and blessed the orphanage at South Canaan,
PA. Three days later, he presided at a conference of diocesan clergy at
Old Forge, PA, 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 Hotovitzky, and Fr John Kochurov
(the last two would die as martyrs 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 a Christian atmosphere, because the future of
the Church in this country depended upon the instruction of the youth.
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 absolute necessity for using English in worship and in
education for the future progress of the Syro-Arab Mission.
Taking
heed of St Paul’s words to pray in a language that people understood (1
Cor.14:15-19), St Raphael recommended the use of the Service Book of
the Holy Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Church (translated by Isabel
Hapgood) in all of his parishes.
In March of 1907 Saint Tikhon
returned to Russia and was replaced by Archbishop PLATON. Once again St
Raphael was considered for episcopal office in Syria, being nominated to
succeed Patriarch GREGORY as Metropolitan of Tripoli in 1908. The Holy
Synod of Antioch removed Bishop Raphael’s name from the list of
candidates, citing various canons which forbid a bishop being
transferred from one city to another.
On the Sunday of Orthodoxy
in 1911, Bishop Raphael was honored for his fifteen years of pastoral
ministry in America. Archbishop PLATON presented him with a
silver-covered icon of Christ and praised him for his work. In his
humility, Bishop Raphael could not understand why he should be honored
merely for doing his duty (Luke 17:10). He considered himself an
“unworthy servant,” yet he did perfectly the work that fell to him (St
Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians).
Toward the end of
1912, Bishop Raphael became ill while working in his office. Doctors
diagnosed him with a heart ailment that eventually caused his death.
After two weeks he felt strong enough to celebrate the Liturgy in his
cathedral.
In 1913-1914 this missionary bishop continued to make
pastoral visitations 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 labors. They called him, but he
did not answer. They shook him, but he was gone.
From his youth,
Saint Raphael’s greatest joy was 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 traveled throughout America,
Canada, and Mexico in search of them so that he might care for them. He
kept them from straying into strange pastures, and he protected 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 thirty parishes with 25,000 faithful.
He
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
Arabic community, and also reached out to Greeks and Russians, speaking
to them in their own language. He became fluent in English, and
encouraged its use in church services and educational programs.
St
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 ceaseless prayer and
praise to God.
Through the prayers of the holy Bishop Raphael, may we also be made worthy of the heavenly Kingdom. Amen.
Source-Oca.org
){kind=link}
0 comments:
Post a Comment