Saint Raphael (Hawaweeny)

Saint Raphael (Hawaweeny) (1860-1915)

Rafia may be spelt Raphael, Raphail.

Hawaweeny may be spelt Huawini, Havavini, Avavini.

"Sayidna" is the equivalent of "vladyka". They both mean "master", "teacher".

Early life of Rafia Hawaweeny

Rafia Hawaweeny was born in Beirut, Lebanon on 8 November, 1860. His parents, Michael Hawaweeny and Mariam Jarjoura, were pious Orthodox Christians and members of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. During the year of Rafia's birth, they had become refugees from Damascus, Syria, at the time of the 1860 Druze-Maronite Civil War and the massacre in Damascus (the latest of a series of such massacres in Syria). They had fled a violent persecution of Christians, during which (much as a century later) many people were put to death for the sake of Christ. The Hawaweeny family witnessed the Damascus Massacre of 1860 against the Christians, including the killing of Saint Yusuf al-Dimashqi (Saint Joseph of Damascus). He had been suspended head-downwards from a bell until he reposed. He had been the priest of the Cathedral of the Holy Dormition of the Theotokos in Damascus. 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 (see Hebrews 13:14).

When the family was able to return from Beirut to Damascus, they settled near a Temple named for the Archangel Raphael. Mariam Hawaweeny, the second wife of Michael, and the daughter of a priest, understood that her child, born on or near the Feast of the Bodiless Powers, should be named for an angel (according to custom). Moreover, since they were near the Temple of Saint Raphael, she understood for which of the archangels he should be named. Of course, her husband was named for another archangel, the Archangel Michael. The baptism took place on the Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany), 1861, in Damascus. His mother in particular formed him first in the Orthodox Christian Faith, and second in the reading of literature.

At the age of 6, Rafia's father sent him to learn at the Patriarchate School in its elementary section. He studied reading under the tutelage of Mansour Shamiya. At the age of 10, Rafia was promoted to the intermediate section, where he studied the principles of exchange, grammar and arithmetic/mathematics by Elias Shamia. At 12, he was raised to the secondary section where he excelled in the Arabic language, religious education, arithmetic, history and geography. He also began to learn the Turkish and Greek languages, and the principles of church music.

He was brave and intelligent, and his teachers appreciated him. He represented the role of the hero in a play about knowledge and ignorance, after being chosen for that by the school administration at the end of the academic year of 1873. At the end of 1874, Rafia received his first academic award.

Rafia was a good student. Because of the poverty of his parents, and also because of his academic ability, he became a student sponsored by the Patriarchate of Antioch. It was Hierodeacon Athanasius (Atallah) who urged Patriarch Meletius II (Doumani) of Antioch to accept Rafia as a student in the Patriarchate to prepare him for the priesthood. Thus, he moved to the Patriarchate where he stayed and completed his studies at the Great Patriarchate School in Damascus.

On 14 September, 1874 Raphia was tonsured to be a reader.

In 1877, he was given the responsibility of teaching during the absence of his teacher, and in the year 1878, he was officially appointed to be a teacher for the fifth grade of the Arabic and Turkish languages. On 29 May, he was accepted into the monastery, and he was appointed to the service of the patriarch. This change required permanent presence with the patriarch, and that he leave his education.

Monastic tonsure, 1879

In 1879, Rafia Hawaweeny was tonsured to be a monk in Damascus, and he was given the name Raphael.

Monk Raphael, Damascus, 1879

Higher education

Archimandrite Christopher, the Representative of the Church of Antioch to the Church of Russia, informed the Patriarch of Antioch that Patriarch Joachim III of Constantinople offered to receive from the Patriarchate Hierotheos of Antioch at least one young man to study theology there. After receiving a response, and with the support of Dmitri Shehadeh Al-Dimashqi residing in Istanbul, the Monk Raphael (Hawaweeny) was then sent to study at the School of Orthodox Theology on Halki Island (the largest of the Prince Islands), near Istanbul-Constantinople, Turkey.

He departed from Damascus on 6 July, 1879, and he arrived in Istanbul on 18 July, 1879. He had suffered a little in the expenses of travel, accommodation, and study, but the hand of God was extended to him, and he was able to manage. He pursued his studies well. When he graduated, the title of his thesis was "The true Significance of Sacred Tradition and its Great Worth" (completed in 1886).

Diaconal ordination, 1886

On 8/20 December, 1885, the Monk Raphael (Hawaweeny) was ordained to the Holy Diaconate in the chapel of the Halki Seminary in Constantinople. He was ordained by an archbishop of Macedonia.

Diaconal service

When Hierodeacon Raphael (Hawaweeny) returned to Syria, he served under Bishop Christopher (Saliba) of Akkar, who had assisted him while he was studying in Istanbul.

When Patriarch Gerasimus of Antioch visited the diocese, he asked the bishop to bless Hierodeacon Raphael to accompany him on his tours, and to serve as an evangelist, and as a speaker and a teacher in the patriarchal school that the patriarch intended to establish. This was done, and Hierodeacon Raphael returned to Damascus with the patriarch on 13 September, 1887.

His passion for study remained ardent, so he asked the patriarch to seek from the Russian Most Holy Synod his admission to one of Russia's theological academies, with the intention to return to Damascus and become the editor-in-chief of publications in the Russian language. The patriarch accepted the petition, and after he had received the approval of the Russian Most Holy Synod, Hierodeacon Raphael was sent to the Theological Academy in Kyiv, Ukraine (at that time in the Russian Empire). He arrived there on 5 September, 1888, and he sat another exam in the Greek language. After the final examination, Patriarch Gerasimus asked Hierodeacon Raphael to take over the Antiochian Representation in Russia, and to succeed Archimandrite Christopher (Gebara), because the archimandrite did not know Russian.

Hierodeacon Raphael, Kiev, 1889

Presbyteral ordination, 1889

On 4/16 June, 1889, Bishop Sylvester, the Dean of the Kiev Orthodox Theological Academy (at the request of Patriarch Gerasimus of Antioch) ordained the Hierodeacon Raphael (Hawaweeny) to the Holy Priesthood in the Academy Church in Kiev.

Pastoral service

The Hieromonk Raphael (Hawaweeny) was then sent to Moscow in order to take up his new responsibilities.

On 16/28 July, 1889, Metropolitan Ioannikiy, at the request of the Patriarch of Antioch, elevated the Hieromonk Raphael (Hawaweeny) to the dignity of archimandrite.

Archimandrite Raphael (Hawaweeny) was assigned to serve as the rector of the Representation Church of the Patriarch of Antioch in Moscow, Russian Empire.

Archimandrite Raphael (Hawaweeny) at the Antiochian Representation in Moscow

Archimandrite Raphael contributed greatly towards improving the living conditions of the Antiochians in Russia. With God's help, during 2 years, he found the money to pay off the debts of the Church there, which was estimated at 65,000 Russian rubles. He strove to improve the cultural situation of the Antiochians by opening to the Syrians the doors of the rôle of academic study in Russia, in order that education in Syria be established properly in the Orthodox Faith, and rooted in Christian literature. During 3 years, he brought 25 students from the regions of the Middle East to study in Russian schools in Odessa, Moscow, Tula, Rostov and Kharkov.

The Representative of Antioch in Russia, Archimandrite Raphael, played a major and pivotal rôle in defending the right of the Arabs to lead their own Church in Antioch (instead of being led by Greeks under Constantinople). In his writing in magazines about the Arab rights (particularly regarding the prevailing situation in the Antiochian patriarchate concerning decadence and ostentation in the context of Arab poverty and deprivation), he prevailed over the representative of the Greek Church in Russia, Archimandrite Arsenius, through a written debate that took place between them.

When Archimandrite Raphael did not recognise the election of the Greek-Cypriot Archbishop Spyridon (Efthimiou) of the Diocese of Mount Tabor (Jerusalem Patriarchate) to become the Patriarch of Antioch in November, 1891, he was ordered by the patriarch to step down as the representative. He was required to hand over the responsibility as the Antiochian Representative to Archimandrite Sergius. After his removal, Archimandrite Raphael published articles in the Greek newspapers against the Greeks who demanded retaining the headship of the Patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem as being a privilege inherited from the Caesars of the Roman Empire. As a consequence, Archimandrite Raphael was prevented from publishing newspaper articles. Nevertheless, his hope was not stifled. The relations between Archimandrite Raphael and the Patriarch of Antioch became tense, so he reconciled himself to remaining in Russia. Later, however, his hopes were fulfilled with the election in 1898 of Patriarch Meletius II (Doumani), the first Arab and non-Greek Patriarch of Antioch since 1724. The difficulties that were repeatedly faced within the Patriarchate of Antioch were often instigated by political policies of the Ottoman Empire.

Transfer to the Church of Russia, 1894

Because of these significant political difficulties in Syria, Archimandrite Raphael (Hawaweeny) was transferred to the Church of Russia. He was first assigned to teach in Moscow, but the Patriarch of Antioch made it clear that he had to be situated away from the main centres of Russia. Therefore, he was assigned to teach as a Professor of Arabic Language and Literature in Kazan, at the Kazan University. He was blessed also from there to be involved in the Christian-Islamic dialogue, because his mastery of the Arabic language enabled him to translate the basic Islamic texts to Russian. Because he was fluent in Greek, he could translate from the Greek Bible into the languages of the Russian Empire. Because of his connection to the Middle East, he could secure books for the library of the Theological Academy in Kazan.

Even though he now belonged to the Church of Russia, Archimandrite Raphael (Hawaweeny) maintained an active correspondence with the Arabic-speaking bishops in the Antiochian Patriarchate, and he supported the development there of Arabic-teaching schools.

Transfer to the USA, 1895

In 1895, Archimandrite Raphael (Hawaweeny) was invited by Dr. Ibrahim Arbeely, the president of the Syrian Orthodox Benevolent Society in New York City in the USA, to move there to care for the Arabic-speaking immigrants. After speaking with Bishop Nicholas (Ziorov) in Saint Petersburg, and after receiving the blessing for this work, he travelled with 2 other men to begin his missionary work in the USA. From the beginning, he let it be known that because of the difficult relationship between him and the Patriarch of Antioch (and because the Orthodox Church in North America was one diocese), none of the work that he would undertake could involve the Patriarchate of Antioch, but rather that it would be carried out under the Diocese of North America. At first, Bishop Nicholas (Ziorov) wanted the centre of the mission to the Syro-Arabians to be in Chicago, Illinois (because of its central position on the continent), but after conversations it was agreed that the centre of this work would also be in New York City (because it was the main portal of immigration).

On arrival in the USA

With the blessing of Bishop Nicholas (Ziorov), he established a new chapel in Manhattan (dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Myra) in order to provide for the sheep entrusted to him. It was situated in the heart of the Antiochian Quarter in New York City, on the second floor of the building constructed on Washington Street in Lower Manhattan.

From there, in 1896, he began to travel across the continent to care for the needs of all the scattered immigrant sheep. He visited 30 cities in a straight line between New York and San Francisco.

In 1898, he made yet another continental pastoral journey. This journey lasted 5 months. In the same year, with the blessing of Bishop Nicholas, Father Raphael produced his first book in North America — a Service Book in Arabic 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, "Divine Prayers and Services" published by Archimandrite Seraphim (Nassar) is still being used today.

During this same year, Archimandrite Raphael (Hawaweeny) received several prestigious awards from the Russian Emperor, from the Most Holy Synod, and from missionary societies, in recognition of his fruitful pastoral labours. He was awarded the Order of Saint Anna. He was awarded the right to wear the mitre by the Emperor of Russia. The Palestinian Russian Orthodox Society awarded him a silver medal in recognition of his achievement of translating and writing books that were used by the society in Palestine and Syria. He was awarded a silver medal for his worthy service during the rule of Emperor Alexander III.

Following these events, with the blessing of Bishop Nicholas, Father Raphael was able to bring some Arabic-speaking priests to North America to begin to meet the needs of the far-flung flock. He also sent several men abroad to pursue a theological education in view of future service in North America.

Near the end of 1898, Bishop Nicholas (Ziorov) was replaced by Bishop (Saint) Tikhon (Belavin). Archimandrite Raphael (Hawaweeny) was the highest ranking representative of the Russian American Mission in New York City to greet Bishop Tikhon (Belavin), the new diocesan bishop upon his arrival. At the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on 15 December, 1898, Archimandrite Raphael spoke about Vladyka Tikhon's mission in his sermon.

 He 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.

In Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Archimandrite Raphael reconciled those whose personal enmity threatened to divide the Arabic community. Although the civil courts had been unable to make peace, he restored calm, and he put an end to the bitter feud. While he was in Johnstown, he received a telegram informing him that Metropolitan Meletius (Doumani) had been elected to be the Patriarch of Antioch. With great joy, Archimandrite Raphael told the people that for the first time in 168 years, a native Arab had been chosen as Primate of the Antiochian Church. (As was mentioned earlier, during the previous period, all the patriarchs had been Greeks.)

After the new patriarch had been enthroned, Archimandrite Raphael was proposed to succeed Patriarch Meletius as the Metropolitan of Latakia, Syria. The patriarch, however, stated that the Holy Synod could not elect Father Raphael because of his important work in North America.

In 1899, with the blessing of Bishop Tikhon, Archimandrite Raphael set out on another pastoral journey, and he began collecting funds to establish a cemetery, and as well to build a new Temple. Again, the visit required 5 months, during which he visited 43 cities and villages.

In January, 1900, Ali Farouk Bey, the Ottoman Ambassador to the USA, awarded Archimandrite Raphael with an Ottoman Medal, third degree. Later that year, the Most Holy Synod applied pressure on Archimandrite Raphael on behalf of the Antiochian Holy Synod to consider returning to Syria. However, Archimandrite Raphael was unwilling to abandon the plough to which he had set his hand. In September of that year, Emperor Nicolas II awarded Archimandrite Raphael (Hawaweeny) with the Order of Saint Vladimir, fourth degree.

In 1901, Metropolitan Gabriel (Shatila) of Beirut wrote to Archimandrite Raphael and asked him to be his Vicar-Bishop. Archimandrite Raphael declined, saying that he could not leave his American flock.

In 1901, Father Raphael purchased a section of the Mount Olivet cemetery on Long Island. This was his first major project.

During this time also, there continued to appear attempts from Syria to persuade him to return to serve there, but he did not feel that he could abandon the spiritual sheep whom he loved, and whom he served in North America.

In 1902, Father Raphael was able to buy an existing church building at 301-303, Pacific Street, in Brooklyn, and he had it remodelled for Orthodox worship. The parish of Saint Nicholas in Manhattan moved to this new site. This Temple is now the primatial cathedral of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. In that year also, he made a significant pastoral visit to Mexico. There, he preached, taught, established the Church, and nourished the Faithful with the Divine Mysteries.

Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, Brooklyn

Bishop Tikhon (Belavin) sanctified the Temple, to the great joy of the Faithful in attendance. Thus, Archimandrite Raphael’s second major project was completed.

Archimandrite Raphael in New York, 1903

Bishop Tikhon could see his qualities of leadership tempered by piety, and he wanted Archimandrite Raphael to become one of the Vicar-Bishops. He therefore proposed this to the Most Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in Saint Petersburg. The Holy Synod of Russian approved and elected Archimandrite Raphael (Hawaweeny) to be ordained.

Episcopal ordination, 1904

On 16/29 February, 1904, with the blessing of the Russian Holy Synod, Archimandrite Raphael (Hawaweeny) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate in the Syrian Church of Saint Nicholas in Brooklyn, New York, by Bishop Tikhon (Belavin) and Bishop Innocent (Pustynsky) of Alaska.

Bishop Raphael (Hawaweeny)

Bishop Tikhon with Bishop Innocent and Bishop Raphael

Episcopal service

Vladyka (Sayidna in Arabic) Raphael (Hawaweeny) was assigned to serve as a Vicar-Bishop of the Diocese of North America and the Aleutians (Russian Orthodox Church in North America), as the Bishop of Brooklyn, New York.

He was the first Orthodox bishop to be ordained to the Holy Episcopate in North America.

Following his ordination, Sayidna Raphael continued his pastoral labours : ordaining priests, assigning them to parishes, and helping Bishop Tikhon in the administration of the North American diocese.

Bishop Raphael (Hawaweeny)

Publication of “The Word (Al-Kalimat)”

At the end of 1904, Bishop Raphael announced his intention to publish a magazine called “Al-Kalimat (The Word)”, which would be the official publication of the Syro-Antiochian mission. This would help to link the people and parishes of his diocese more closely together. The first issue was printed in 1905, and it continues to be published to this day. This was the third great accomplishment of Saint Raphael.

Saint Tikhon's Monastery

In 1905, Bishop Raphael sanctified the grounds for Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, and he 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 at that time). Amongst the clergy in attendance were 3 priests who would also be numbered amongst the saints : Fathers Alexis (Toth), Alexander Hotovitzky, and John Kochurov — the last 2 would die as martyrs in Russia.

Bishop Raphael (Hawaweeny) at Saint Tikhon's Monastery, 1905

Bishop Raphael established 30 parishes in North America, and in 1906, he assisted in the founding, blessing and opening of Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Montréal

As he went about making his pastoral rounds in 1905, Bishop Raphael blessed the re-founding of Saint Nicholas’ Church of Canada (Montréal, Québec) (first established in 1898), and of the second Saint Nicholas’ Church (Montréal, Québec) in 1908 (the latter parish was re-named as Saint George).

Bishop Raphael and men of the Saint Nicholas parish, Montréal

Bishop Raphael and women (wives) of the Saint Nicholas parish, Montréal

The bishop understood that the future of the Church does not depend primarily on continuous emigration, but rather on the formation of the young children of the Church (first the immigrants and their children, then those who wish to become Orthodox Christians). Therefore, in the beginning of 1907, he began 3 projects : dedicating 4 pages of "The Word" magazine to English articles ; setting up services once a month in English ; starting to teach children the Orthodox Christian Faith and catechism in English.

With the growth of the New York community came an increase in the number of children, and Bishop Raphael was concerned about their future. He saw the absolute necessity of using English in worship and in education for the future progress of the Syro-Antiochian Mission. As a part of this, he recommended the use of the "Service Book of the Holy Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Church" (translated by Isabel Hapgood) in all of the parishes under his omophor. This book is still being used in the present day, sometimes for serving, sometimes as a reference.

In March, 1907, Archbishop Tikhon was recalled to Russia, and he was replaced by Archbishop Platon (Rozhdestvensky). Once again, Bishop Raphael was considered for episcopal office in Syria. However, he steadfastly remained in North America.

Bishop Raphael during a pastoral visit

In early 1908, the Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch nominated Sayidna Raphael for the position of Archbishop of Tripoli, but there were ecclesiastical laws about the transfer of bishops which made such a change very difficult. Moreover, Sayidna Raphael had previously indicated his sense of responsibility towards the North American flock of rational sheep. On 10 March, 1908, Bishop Raphael, in his capacity as President of the "Arab Red Cross Society", which was founded in 1904 by Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, received a medal from the president of the "Russian Red Cross Society".

On 8 June, 1908, Emperor Nicholas II of Russia (through the Russian Consul General) awarded Sayidna Raphael (Hawaweeny) with the Order of Saint Anna, first degree. This order is usually reserved for the nobility.

On Saturday, 18 July, 1908, Sayidna Raphael, accompanied by Deacon Ignatius, went by train to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. On Sunday, 19 July, he led the service of the Sanctification of the Temple of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Saint Mary's), with the participation of the parish priest George Qattouf, and 1,000 parishioners.

In October, 1908, Sayidna Raphael published evidence that the federal law of the USA was prohibiting the naturalisation of people from "Asia" (that is, the Middle-East), which aroused Arab anxiety in the West. After considerable hard work and serious effort, Bishop Raphael's labours bore fruit from his request for support from the Church of Russia and others, that the Syrian Arabs be considered to be Caucasians.

On 24 February, 1909, Archbishop Platon (Rozhdestvensky) presented him an engolpion (panagia) on behalf of the Russian Mission Diocesan Council.

Later that year, Sayidna Raphael laid down some grounds concerning the provision of the Sacraments of marriage, divorce, baptism, the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and also of burial.

Sanctification of Saint George's Church, Montréal

On 26 October, 1909, Sayidna Raphael went with Hierodeacon Emmanuel (Abou-Hatab) to Montréal, Québec, Canada, where he sanctified the Temple of Saint George.

Saint Nicholas Arabic School

At the end of the year, the night school, which was established in Brooklyn in 1906, was launched under the name of the "Saint Nicholas Arabic School", which taught Arabic, religious education, liturgy and hymns from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

In early 1911, Sayidna Raphael purchased a building near the Brooklyn Temple. It consisted of 3 floors and a basement, and it was used as a parish centre, a religious education facility, an orphanage, and a priest's residence.

On 27 September, 1911, Sayidna Raphael returned to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

In August, 1912, he published an official notification in "The Word" magazine requesting that the people not accept the Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) from any non-Orthodox priest, even in times of necessity (danger of death), because the Anglican (Episcopalian) Church does not believe in the Grace of the Holy Priesthood, nor in the Sacrament of Repentance (confession). He reinforced this notification through a pastoral letter addressed to the Orthodox Faithful in America in September of the same year.

Illness

On the morning of Thursday, 25 October, 1912, Bishop Raphael became ill while he was working in his office. Physicians diagnosed him as having a heart ailment (which eventually brought about his repose). This ailment began to affect the function of both his stomach and other organs. After 2 weeks, he felt strong enough to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in his cathedral.

In 1913-1914, this missionary bishop continued to make pastoral visitations to various cities.

On 7 January, 1913, he participated with Bishop Alexander (Nemolovsky) in the sanctification of the Chapel of the Saint Platon Theological Institute in Tenafly, New Jersey.

On 21 February, 1913 (the Three Hundredth Anniversary of the Romanov family), the 3 bishops concelebrated a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, and they then went to participate in the reception ceremony at the Russian Bishop's residence. On this occasion, the Emperor Nicholas II sent to Bishop Raphael his thanks for prayers and blessings, and he allowed the bishop to reduce the pressure of work on himself.

On 20 August, 1913, during his pastoral visit, Sayidna Raphael sanctified the Saint Mary's Cemetery in Wilkes-Barre, and he returned to Brooklyn on 12 September.

In early 1914, Sayidna Raphael, with Hierodeacon Emmanuel (Abou-Hatab), paid a pastoral visit to various parts of the USA, and he returned to Brooklyn on 1 March. On 9 March, 1914, after the Divine Liturgy, he informed the parishioners that he was unable to manage the parish because of his frequent visits. Therefore, Father Kharbati was elected to be the President, Father Hatami th Vice-President, Gibran Awad the Treasurer, and Nicola Khoury the Secretary of the Chief Executive of the Parish Council.

On 27 June, Sayidna Raphael began his last pastoral visit, during which he dedicated a Temple in Michigan. The pastoral visit began on 1 July, and it lasted about 31/2 months until 16 October. As usual, he preached the homily in addition to his serving.

On 29 July, Emperor Nicolas II ratified the election of Archbishop Evdokim (Meschersky) as the ruling bishop of North America.

Repose, 1915

In 1915, Sayidna Raphael fell ill again and spent 2 months at home, where he bore his illness with patience until he was blessed to rest from his labours. He had never neglected the flock, but had travelled throughout the USA, Canada, and Mexico in search of the rational sheep so that he might care for them and provide care for them. He kept them from straying into strange pastures, and he protected them from spiritual harm.

At 12:45 a.m., on 14/27 February, 1915, Bishop Raphael (Hawaweeny) fell asleep in the Lord in New York, New York.

On Sunday, 22 February/7 March, 1915, after the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Hierarch were served by Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky) (who was the administrator of the diocese in the absence of Archbishop Evdokim (Meschersky)) at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Brooklyn, New York.

The cathedral was over-crowded with clergy, people and official representatives of sister churches and government and religious bodies.

Funeral

After the funeral obsequies, the body of Bishop Raphael (Hawaweeny) was first interred in a crypt beneath the Holy Table at the Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, on 22 February/7 March, 1915.

Then, on 2 April, 1922, his relics were transferred to the Syrian Section of Brooklyn's Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Finally, on 15 August, 1988, his relics were taken to the Holy Resurrection Cemetery at the Antiochian Village near Ligonier, Pennsylvania.

— Bishop of Brooklyn 1904-1915. Preceded by : The see was created. Succeeded by : Bishop Aftimios (Ofiesh).

— Vicar-Bishop of the Diocese of North America and the Aleutians.

Monument at Ligonier

Glorification, 2000

Bishop Raphael (Hawaweeny) was glorified as a saint by the Holy Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) in its March, 2000, session.

His sanctity was officially proclaimed at the official glorification celebrated on 29 May, 2000, at Saint Tikhon's Monastery at South Canaan, Pennsylvania. Participating in this service which was led by Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor) was Bishop Antoun (Khouri), who represented Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese and the Church of Antioch. Besides the bishops of the OCA Holy Synod, also serving were : Bishop Basil (Essey) and Bishop Demetri Khoury (also of the Antiochian Archdiocese), and Metropolitan Sergei (Fomin) of Solnechnogorsk (Russian Orthodox Church), and Bishop Mercurius (Ivanov) of Zaraisk, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA (Russian Orthodox Church), Archbishop Adam (Dubec) of Przemysl and Nowy Sacz (Polish Orthodox Church), Bishop Dimitrios (Couchell) of Xanthos (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America), and Bishop Seraphim (Sigrist), retired Bishop of Sendai, Japan (Autonomous Orthodox Church of Japan).

At the glorification, Saint Raphael was given the designation “Bishop of Brooklyn, Shepherd of the Lost Sheep of North America”.

Feast-days

Saint Raphael (Hawaweeny) is commemorated by the OCA on 27 February, the anniversary of his repose.

He is commemorated by the Antiochian Orthodox Church on the first Saturday of November.

He is commemorated also on the date of the glorification, 29 May.

Tropar Tone 1 (Repose)

Your proclamation has gone forth throughout North America :

it calls the scattered sheep into the unity of the Church.

Hearing your voice, they responded to your teaching ;

and through your writings, you instructed them in piety.

Guided by your example, O Holy Hierarch, Father Raphael,

we sing hymns of praise today to Christ our God :

“Glory be to Him who gave you strength.

Glory be to Him who gave you a crown.

Glory be to Him who through your intercessions now gives healing to all”.

Tropar Tone 3

Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch, Father Raphael,

son of Antioch, and glory of North America,

gladness and joy of all the Orthodox.

You are a defender of the True Faith,

seeker of the lost, consolation of the oppressed,

father to orphans, friend of the poor,

peacemaker, and good shepherd.

O great missionary archpastor, Father Raphael,

we honour you.

Intercede with Christ our God on our behalf.

Kontak Tone 3

The holy, annual remembrance of Father Raphael

has dawned upon us today.

Having received the call from Christ our God,

he took up his Cross in faith.

Following the Saviour, he became a fisher of men.

Now, let us cry aloud to him :

“Rejoice, O Holy Hierarch, Father Raphael”.

Kontak Tone 8

O Holy Hierarch, Father Raphael, son of Syria and glory of North America,

you were a guardian and a defender of the teaching of the Church.

You protected your flock from false doctrines, and you confirmed them in the True Faith.

Unceasingly intercede before the Lord that our souls may be saved.

Icon of Saint Raphael by the Bishop's throne at Saint Nicholas Church Montréal

Reflections

At the time of his repose, the Syro-Antiochian Mission had 30 parishes with 25,000 faithful.

An old saying applies to Saint Raphael, as it does to all bishops : "A bishop is like a public fountain, and everyone has the right to drink from it".

Constance J Tarasar summarised the work of Saint Raphael after his episcopal ordination :

 Following his consecration, Bishop Raphael continued his work among the Syrian Orthodox in the United States and 
 also helped Archbishop Tikhon and his successors to administer the North American Mission.  Bishop Raphael presided 
 at the clergy conference held in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, on August 2, 1905, in the absence of Archbishop Tikhon. 
 It was this meeting which prepared the agenda for the Council held in Mayfield, Pennsylvania, on February 20, 1907. 
 He also consecrated the grounds of the new St. Tikhon's Monastery and Orphanage.  He founded the magazine, 'Al-Kalemat', 
 in 1905 as a means of communicating with his flock.  Bishop Raphael issued a number of edicts to help his people 
 understand the complex religious situation in America.  After twenty years of service in America, Bishop Raphael 
 died on February 27, 1915, and was buried by Bishop Alexander, who was administering the diocese in the absence of 
 the new Archbishop Evdokim.

In his biography of Saint Raphael, the Archpriest Archpriest Andrei Ukhtomsky (a teacher at the Kiev Theological Academy) wrote :

 Bishop Raphael became a symbol of the unified maturation of various ethnic Orthodox groups.  Here we are dealing 
 with an Arab who was de facto a Russian bishop. He was moving from temple to temple, and no one said to him : 
 'Oh, he is an Arab'.  No, they said : 'This is a bishop !'  We appeal to this bishop, a student of the Kiev 
 Theological Academy in prayers in front of the icon 'Assembly of the Saints of the Kiev Theological Academy'.

Sayidna Raphael is remembered by historians as a learned theologian, a gifted missionary, a prolific translator and writer, and the first to be ordained to the Holy Episcopate in the New World. In popular piety and devotion, his memory is cherished as an icon of the good shepherd who collects a scattered flock, leads his lambs to a safe and verdant pasture, and ultimately lays down his life for them. Tales abound about Sayidna Raphael's tireless ministry as a mediator and peacemaker, a support for the infirm and aged, an encouragement to the young and disheartened, a protector of widows and orphans, a defender of the dispossessed and the poor. The scope of his self-sacrificing pastoral service is preserved and revealed in his own meticulously kept handwritten missionary journals, which detail his transcontinental travels to countless cities, villages, isolated farms and ranches in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The following vignette offers a perfect illustration of why he is known as "the good shepherd of the lost sheep in North America".

 Once, on the return trip to New York from a grueling cross-country missionary journey, Sayidna Raphael arrived 
 by train in a Midwestern town late one evening and, carrying his own luggage, he quietly made his way to a 
 nearby hotel to await a connecting train early the next morning.  Physically exhausted from several months of 
 travel, and living out of suitcases, Sayidna Raphael found himself in the unique circumstance of not having the 
 name or address of a single contact in the area ; thus, he could, at long last, enjoy an evening of 
 undisturbed and well-deserved rest.  Instead, after placing his luggage in the simple room, Sayidna Raphael 
 went out to roam the dark streets, hoping to discover even one Orthodox Christian to whom he could minister. 
 After several hours and numerous inquiries, he happened upon a handful of young Orthodox Arabs and joyfully 
 spent the entire night and early morning hours comforting them in their loneliness, offering them fatherly 
 counsel and advice, instructing and encouraging them in the Faith, and hearing their confessions.  Only at the 
 last moment did he reluctantly leave their company in order to rush back to the hotel, retrieve his suitcases,
 and hurry to his train.  Out of breath, he arrived at the station in time to board the train as it pulled away 
 from the platform.  But before he closed his eyes to steal a few minutes of rest on the crowded and noisy 
 train, Sayidna Raphael carefully inscribed in his notebook the names and addresses of his new-found spiritual 
 children, placing next to each a notation of what he promised to send — to one a prayer book, to another an 
 icon, to yet another a prayer rope, and, to all, assurance of his paternal love, prayers and blessings.

On Sunday, 6 June, 2021, the block of State Street in Brooklyn, New York, on which Saint Nicholas Cathedral is situated, was renamed "Saint Raphael of Brooklyn Place".

Awards and honours

• Order of Saint Anna (1898) from Emperor Nicholas II.

• Right to wear the mitre (1898) from Emperor Nicholas II.

• Silver Medal (1898) from the Palestinian Russian Orthodox Society.

• Silver Medal (1898) for service during the reign of Emperor Alexander III.

• Ottoman Medal, 3rd Degree (1900) from the Ottoman Ambassador in the USA.

• Order of Saint Vladimir, 4th Degree (1900) from Tsar Nicholas II.

• Medal for the Russian Red Cross Society (1908).

• Order of Saint Anna (1908), 1st Degree.

• On Sunday, 5 June, 2022, in Brooklyn, New York, the portion of State Street between Hoyt Street and Bond Street was additionally named as “Saint Raphael of Brooklyn Place”. The sign was festively unveiled after the serving of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in Saint Nicholas Cathedral.

Saint Raphael Place street sign

Writings

• ‘The true Significance of Sacred Tradition and its great Worth’, 1886 (thesis in Greek translated into English, 2016)

• ‘Al-Kalimat’ (‘The Word’) (founder ; St Raphael was also the editor and the author of 343 articles : 1905-1915)

• ‘The Antiochian Patriarchal Metochion in Moscow and the Ascension and St. Hypatios Church’, 1891 (translated from Russian into Arabic)

• ‘Report of Metropolitan Germanos of Athens to the Deputies of the 13th Parliament of the Kingdom of Greece (translated from Greek into Russian, 1893)

• ‘Historical Glance at the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre’, 1893 (Arabic)

• ‘An Historical View of the Errors of the Papal Church’, 1895 (Arabic)

• ‘A Brief History of the Christian Church’ (translation of the Archpriest B Milkhailovskii’s ‘Sokrasshchennaia tserkounaia istoriia’, with extensive notes, 1895) (Arabic)

• ‘A Refutation of the Proclamation of Pope Leo XIII’, 1895 (Arabic)

• ‘The Real Consolation in the Divine Prayers’ (abbreviated and complete versions, 1898) (Arabic)

• ‘Orthodox Syro-Arabian Spiritual Mission in S. America’ in “American Orthodox Herald”, vol. 4, no. 16 (1900), p. 326.

• ‘From the missionary Diary of Archimandrite Raphael : Travel to Yucatan, Mexico in 1902’ in “American Orthodox Herald”, vol. 6, no. 8 (1902), p. 173.

• ‘Resumé of the Church and the Cemetery Projects’, 1903 (Arabic)

• ‘The Great Euchologion’, 1913 (translated into Arabic)

• ‘The Small Euchologion’, 1913 (translated into Arabic)

• ‘The Funeral Service for Children’ (translated into Arabic)

• ‘A Guide to the Services of the Consecration and Dedication of a Church’ (translated into Arabic)

• ‘The Kontakarion’ (translated into Arabic)

• ‘The Liturgicon’

• ‘The Complete Works of St. Raphael’, 3 vols., comp. & ed. Dr. Adnan Trabulsi (2016) (Arabic). ISBN : 978-0-9963151-0-4.

References

Garrett, Paul D, ‘The Life and Legacy of Bishop Raphael Hawaweeny’ in “The First One Hundred Years : A Centennial Anthology Celebrating Antiochian Orthodoxy in North America” (Englewood, NJ : Antakya Press, 1995).

“Saint Raphael (Havavini) : First Orthodox Syrian Bishop in America”.

Arabic Wikipedia biography

Orthodoxwiki biography of Bishop Raphael of Brooklyn

Life of Saint Raphael

“The Life of Our Father among the Saints Raphael Hawaweeny” (Antiochian Archdiocese web-site article)

"The Life and Ministry of St. Raphael of Brooklyn"

Biography in "Orthodox Legacy" of Saint Raphael by Samer George Awad (2011)

Orthodox Photos biography and photos

“Repose of Saint Raphael the Bishop of Brooklyn” (OCA article)

Orthodoxhistory.org : "Isabel Hapgood : The death and funeral of St. Raphael"

“The Russian Mission in North America”

Additional information :

Corey, George S, Gilquist, Peter E, Mackoul, Anne Glynn, Sqm, Jean. Schneirla, Paul, eds., “The First One Hundred Years : A Centennial Anthology Celebrating Antiochian Orthodoxy in North America” (Englewood, NJ : Antakya Press, 1995) BX738.A753F57.

Panchenko, Constantin A, “Arab Orthodox Christians under the Ottomans : 1516-1831”, translated by Samuel and Brittany Noble (Jordanville, NY : Holy Trinity Seminary Press, 2016). ISBN : 978-1-942699-08-8.

Prokurat, Michael ; Golitzin, Alexander & Petersen, Michael, eds., “The A to Z of the Orthodox Church” (Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2010), pp. 151-152. ISBN : 978-0-8108-7602-6.

Tarasar, Constance, ed. "Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America" (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

Viscuso, Patrick, trans., & ed., “The True Significance of Sacred Tradition and Its Great Worth” (DeKalb, Ill : Northern Illinois University Press, 2016), translation of St Raphael’s thesis from Greek into English with commentary. ISBN 10 : 0875807453 ; ISBN 13 : 978-0875807454.

Biography on 'Al Moutran' web-site

Orthodox History article

Glorification of Saint Raphael

Photos

History of the Church of Antioch

Wikipedia article about the 1860 Civil War and Massacre

Various articles about the Damascus Massacre of 1860

Globalsecurity article about the 1860 Civil War and Massacre

Royal Trust article about the 1860 Massacre

The Russian Mission in North America

History of St Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral of Brooklyn

Bishop Nicholas (Ziorov)