Name day
Raphael: Name Day and Patron Saint
Raphael keeps the name day on 8 November, or 21 November on the Old Calendar: the feast of the Archangel Raphael.
By Greek custom the name day is Bright Tuesday: Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene of Lesvos.
- Patron saint
- the Archangel Raphael
- New Calendar
- 8 November
- Old Calendar
- 21 November
- Next name day
- 8 November 2026 (New Calendar) · 21 November 2026 (Old Calendar)
- Greek custom
- Bright Tuesday: Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene of Lesvos
- In the feast calendar
- The feasts of November
The patron saint: the Archangel Raphael
Kept on 8 November, or 21 November on the Old Calendar · Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Bodiless Powers
The Archangel Raphael, whose name means “God heals,” is one of the seven archangels who stand before the throne of God (Tobit 12:15). The Book of Tobit tells how he traveled in the form of a young man with righteous Tobias, guarded him from the dangers of the road, freed his bride Sarah from the demon Asmodeus and gave her to him in marriage, and healed his father Tobit of blindness, before revealing himself and urging the family to praise God and give alms. Icons show him with a vessel of healing medicines, leading Tobias who carries the fish. Orthodox Christians honor him with all the heavenly powers on 8 November and pray to him as the physician of human infirmities and comforter of the sorrowful: for healing, for safe journeys, and for a good marriage.
What the faithful pray for
- healing of bodily and spiritual infirmities
- restoration of sight
- a safe journey and return
- a good marriage, pleasing to God
- deliverance from evil spirits
- comfort in sorrow
- the skill of doctors
Protection
- travelers from unforeseen dangers on the road
- marriages from the power of evil spirits
- the sick
- from despair
Miracles
- Disguised as a young man, Raphael guided young Tobias on his journey, delivered his bride Sarah from the demon Asmodeus, and restored the sight of his father Tobit (Book of Tobit). (source)
Other saints named Raphael
Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene of Lesvos
Kept on Bright Tuesday · Holy New Martyrs Raphael, Nicholas and Irene of Lesvos (Bright Tuesday)
Martyrs of Lesvos killed by the Turks in 1463, whose graves were revealed in visions in 1959.
St Raphael of Brooklyn
Kept on 27 February, or 12 March on the Old Calendar · St Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn
The Syrian-born bishop who gathered the Arab Orthodox immigrants of North America, the first Orthodox bishop consecrated in America.
Hieromartyr Raphael of Serbia
Kept on 21 August, or 3 September on the Old Calendar
Raphael in other languages
| Language | The name | Short forms |
|---|---|---|
| English | Raphael, Rafael, Rafail, Raffaele | Rafa, Raffi |
| Greek | Ραφαήλ, Rafail, Raphael | |
| Russian | Рафаил, Rafail | |
| Serbian | Рафаило, Rafailo | |
| Romanian | Rafael | |
| Arabic | رافائيل, Rafael, Rafail | |
| Spanish | Rafael | |
| Italian | Raffaele |
An icon for Raphael
We don't carry an icon of the Archangel Raphael yet. Ask for it below, and we will write to you when it is in.
Closest to it
Folding diptychSt Matthew the Apostle & Guardian Angel
Kept on the same day, 8 November$99$69
MedallionOrthodox St. Michael Archangel
Silver Color · Stainless Steel MedallionKept on the same day, 8 November$70$49
Folding diptychChrist (Zvenigorod Saviour) & Vladimir Mother of God
Christ and the Mother of God keep every Christian home$99$69
For every name: the Guardian Angel, given at baptism
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you: Consecration, $49.
A name-day gift for Raphael
Name-Day Gift Set $213$149
A patron saint's folding diptych chosen by first name, a stainless steel crucifix and a prayer rope, in a gift box with a card giving the saint's life and feast day.
The St Nicholas the Wonderworker & Guardian Angel Folding Diptych is chosen, for the Guardian Angel every Orthodox Christian receives at baptism, and the name is filled in.
Other names with this saint
Questions
When is Raphael’s name day?
Raphael keeps the name day on 8 November on the New Calendar and on 21 November on the Old Calendar, the feast of the Archangel Raphael. By Greek custom it is kept on Bright Tuesday: Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene of Lesvos.
Who is the patron saint of Raphael?
the Archangel Raphael. The Archangel Raphael, whose name means “God heals,” is one of the seven archangels who stand before the throne of God (Tobit 12:15).
How is Raphael written in other languages?
Greek: Ραφαήλ (Rafail), Russian: Рафаил (Rafail), Serbian: Рафаило (Rafailo), Romanian: Rafael, Arabic: رافائيل (Rafael) and Spanish: Rafael. Every form of the name keeps the same saint.
What is a good name-day gift for Raphael?
We don’t carry an icon of the Archangel Raphael yet, and you can ask for one on this page. Every Orthodox Christian has a Guardian Angel from baptism, so the Name-Day Gift Set ($149) with the Guardian Angel diptych is always fitting.
More about name days
- Name Days Explained: What They Are, How Families Keep Them, and Gifts
A name day is the feast of the saint whose name you carry. Here is how to find yours on either calendar, how Greek and Russian families keep it, and what to give.
- Orthodox Patron Saint: How to Find Yours (by Name, Day or Choice)
Your Orthodox patron saint is the saint whose name you were given at baptism. Here is how to find yours by name, by the day of your birth or baptism, or by choice, and how to keep the name day.
- Find another name