Raphael the Archangel

Raphael, whose name means "God has healed," is one of the three archangels mentioned in the Bible, namely from the Book of Tobit. Because his name is attributed to healing, he has also been identified as the angel who would stir the waters in the healing pool in Jerusalem (St. John 5:1-4).

It is fitting that the archangel Raphael's feast day closely follows Saint Luke's, who himself healed others. May he hope for the intercession of the saints in the healing of all who are in need.


Propers for Raphael the Archangel

The Collect.

O God, Who didst give Blessed Raphael the archangel to thy servant Tobias as a companion on his journey, grant to us, thy servants, that we may always be protected by his care and strengthened by his help; through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost; ever one God, world without end. Amen.


The Lesson - Tobit 12:7-15


The Holy Gospel - St. John 5:1-4

Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.And in these many people were lying who were ill, blind, crippled, cancerous, and they were awaiting the moving of the water;  And an angel of the Lord descended at certain times into the pond; and the water was moved. And he that went down first into the pond after the motion of the water, was made whole, of whatsoever infirmity he lay under. (composite translations)


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