The holy angels
The Archangel Raphael
Holy Archangel Raphael
Αρχάγγελος Ραφαήλ · Свѧты́й А҆рхаѓгелъ Рафаи́лъ · Архангел Рафаил
The Archangel Raphael is remembered on 8 November (21 November on the Old Calendar). Orthodox Christians pray to the Archangel Raphael for healing of bodily and spiritual infirmities, restoration of sight and a safe journey and return.
Feast days
- Feast
- Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Bodiless Powers
- Kept on
- 8 November (21 November on the Old Calendar)
- Next, New Calendar
- Next, Old Calendar
The New Calendar is kept by the Greek, Antiochian, Romanian and Bulgarian churches, the OCA and most converts; the Old Calendar by the Russian, Serbian and Georgian churches, Jerusalem and Mount Athos, 13 days later on the civil calendar.
Who The Archangel Raphael is
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 ask of the Archangel Raphael
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
The Archangel Raphael protects
- travelers from unforeseen dangers on the road
- marriages from the power of evil spirits
- the sick
- from despair
Patron of
- physicians and healers
- the sick
- travelers
- young people seeking a spouse
- the blind
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: Азбука веры: Архангел Рафаил
Where the traditions differ
Orthodox honor Raphael at the 8 Nov Synaxis (some Russian calendars list him on that day); Catholics keep him with Michael and Gabriel on 29 Sep (24 Oct before 1969). Catholic devotion to Raphael for finding a spouse and as patron of physicians is especially strong; the Orthodox ground the same intercessions in the Book of Tobit.
the Archangel Raphael in our shop
We don't carry an icon of the Archangel Raphael yet. Ask for it below, and we will write to you when it is ready.
Until then, the closest we carry
Folding diptychSt Matthew the Apostle & Guardian Angel Folding DiptychKept 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 Folding DiptychChrist and the Mother of God keep every Christian home$99$69
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you — Consecration, $49.
Ask our priest
Our priest can serve a moleben to the Archangel Raphael for the people and the need you name.
Name days
These names keep their name day on a feast of the Archangel Raphael:
Prayed to for
Related saints
Questions
When is the feast day of the Archangel Raphael?
Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Bodiless Powers: 8 November (21 November on the Old Calendar).
What do Orthodox Christians pray to the Archangel Raphael for?
Orthodox Christians pray to the Archangel Raphael 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 and comfort in sorrow.
What is the Archangel Raphael the patron of?
The Archangel Raphael is the patron of physicians and healers, the sick, travelers, young people seeking a spouse and the blind.
What does the Archangel Raphael protect from?
The Archangel Raphael protects travelers from unforeseen dangers on the road, marriages from the power of evil spirits, the sick and from despair.
Whose name day is on a feast of the Archangel Raphael?
The name day of Raphael, Rafail and Rafael.
Sources
- Азбука веры: Архангел Рафаил (read 14 October 2026)
- OCA: Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers (read 14 October 2026)