{"id":"st-raphael-archangel","name":"St. Raphael the Archangel","title":"Divine Healer, God's Medicine","knownFor":"Companion of Tobias, Divine Physician, Guardian of Travelers","feastDay":"September 29","lifespan":"N/A (Angelic Being)","patronOf":"Travelers, Blind, Medical Workers, Happy Meetings, Young People","shortBio":"One of the three archangels named in Scripture, Raphael is God's healing angel who guided young Tobias on his journey and healed his father's blindness.","fullBio":"St. Raphael is one of the three archangels specifically named in Sacred Scripture (along with Michael and Gabriel). His name means 'God heals' or 'God's medicine,' reflecting his primary role as the divine physician and healer sent by God to assist humanity.\n\nRaphael's most significant biblical appearance is in the Book of Tobit, where he disguises himself as a human companion named Azarias to guide young Tobias on a dangerous journey. Throughout their travels, Raphael protects Tobias from harm, helps him catch a fish whose organs would later heal his father's blindness, and guides him to his future bride Sarah, freeing her from a demon that had killed her seven previous husbands.\n\nWhen Raphael finally reveals his true identity, he explains that he was sent by God because of the prayers and good deeds of Tobit and Sarah. He had been presenting their prayers before God's throne and had come to heal Tobit's blindness and deliver Sarah from the demon.\n\nIn Christian tradition, Raphael is invoked as the patron of travelers, having safely guided Tobias on his journey. He is also the patron of medical workers, the blind, and those seeking healing. His intercession is sought for happy meetings, as he brought Tobias and Sarah together in marriage.\n\nRaphael represents God's providential care for His people, showing how angels are sent to assist us in our earthly journeys. His healing ministry continues today as Christians invoke his intercession for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. He reminds us that God's mercy and healing power are always available to those who seek Him with faith.","miracles":["Healed Tobit's blindness using fish gall","Protected Tobias throughout his dangerous journey","Freed Sarah from the demon Asmodeus","Guided Tobias to his future bride","Ongoing intercession for healing and safe travels","Countless healing miracles attributed to his intercession"],"imageUrl":"https://page.gensparksite.com/v1/base64_upload/aab30d84f6ac50d9864c5b14dcee9eaf","imageAttribution":"Tobias and the Angel by Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) (c. 1542-1544). Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice, Italy. Oil on panel","orderByDate":1}