Description
Saint Raphael of Brooklyn (1860–1915) was born in Syria to devout Orthodox parents, fleeing persecution as a child. Educated in theology in Russia, he became an archimandrite and later moved to America in 1895 to shepherd Syro-Arab Orthodox immigrants. He established churches, conducted pastoral visits, and promoted Orthodox unity under the Russian Church. Consecrated as the first Orthodox bishop in America in 1904, he tirelessly served his flock, publishing spiritual literature and advocating for English in worship. Despite illness, he worked until his death in 1915, leaving a legacy of 30 parishes and 25,000 faithful.
