👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾 About the #Archangel St. #Rufael
The Feast of Archangel Raphael, celebrated annually on Pagume 3 according to the Ethiopian calendar, is one of the most significant celebrations in the Church, filled with profound spiritual meaning. As with the archangels Michael and Gabriel, St. Raphael is exalted as a divine messenger and protector, entrusted with a unique mission toward humanity by the Almighty God. His name, composed of two Hebrew words—Rufa meaning "healing" and El meaning "God"—literally translates to "God heals," encapsulating his divinely appointed role as a healer and guide to the faithful.
1. Saint Raphael: The Healer of the Sick
One of the most prominent and cherished titles of St. Raphael is "Fewase Duyan," meaning "he who heals the sick" He is celebrated as an angel who carries out the will of God in healing both physical and spiritual ailments. The scriptures bear testimony to his healing ministry, beginning with his intervention in the Book of Tobit. In that sacred text, Raphael is revealed as a healer of human infirmities, a task he carries out on behalf of God, who is the ultimate source of all healing. Raphael’s healing touch not only cures physical sickness but also heals the soul. The prophet Enoch writes that Raphael is the angel appointed by God over all diseases and wounds of mankind (Enoch 10:13). This healing power is manifested in both the Old and New Testaments, where the angel's prayers and intercession allow for the restoration of the faithful to health.
Just as our Lord healed the sick during His earthly ministry—raising the paralytic man and restoring the sight of the blind—so Raphael, as an emissary of God, brings healing and renewal to the faithful, curing them of both bodily afflictions and the deeper wounds of sin. This power to heal is a grace bestowed upon the Church, wherein the faithful can seek comfort through prayer to the archangel, trusting in the divine mercy he mediates on their behalf.
2. "Fetahe Mahtsen": The Opener of the Barren Womb
In both the Old and New Testaments, we encounter numerous women who were barren but, by the grace of God, were blessed with children. These miraculous conceptions were often heralded by the intercession of angels. The scripture recounts the stories of Sarah, the mother of Isaac; Hannah, the mother of Samuel; and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. To this day, many faithful call upon St. Raphael during times of infertility or difficulty in childbirth, trusting in his role as the Fetahe Mahtsen, the one who "opens the womb." Raphael is known to care for both mothers and children from conception to birth, interceding for the health and well-being of those who are pregnant or seeking to conceive. His presence is invoked in the moments of labor, where women, overwhelmed by the pains of childbirth, call upon him for relief and swift delivery. Through his intercession, the barren womb is opened, and the hand of God is made manifest in the joy of motherhood.
3. "Sadade Aganant": The Chaser of Demons
In the spiritual struggle that each believer faces, Saint Raphael stands as a guardian and protector against the forces of darkness. Just as Christ Himself cast out demons during His ministry, St. Raphael too is renowned for his power to expel evil spirits. The story of Sarah, from the story of Tobit, is a prime example, where Raphael delivers her from the demon who had caused the death of her previous seven husbands. This story, from the Book of Tobit, illustrates how Raphael intervenes in moments of great spiritual peril, driving out demons and restoring peace to those who suffer under the weight of evil.
Raphael's role as a protector is not limited to ancient texts. Even today, he is invoked in prayers for protection against demonic forces, malicious spirits, and all forms of temptation and sin. The faithful call upon him when they face spiritual battles, trusting in his God-given power to chase away the enemy and restore divine peace to their hearts and homes.
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