Who is Saint Raphael?


Angel for the Bodily Ill

Saint Raphael, "Is the Angel who heals", "God Heals", "God of Medicine" is one of the seven archangels who stand with God and performs all manners of healing. Raphael is generally associated with the angel mentioned in the Gospel of John as stirring the water at the healing pool of Bethesda and also documented healing Tobit from being blind. 
Raphael first appears disguised in human form as the travelling companion of Tobit's son, Tobias, calling himself "Azarias the son of the great Ananias". During the course of the journey the Archangel's protective influence is shown in many ways including the binding of a demon in the desert of upper Egypt. After returning and healing the blind Tobit, Azarias makes himself known as "the Angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord" Tobit 12:15. He is venerated as Saint Raphael the Archangel.