Archangels are blessed with heavenly powers which enable them to perform miracles to a certain extend. The name Raphael translates to ‘God has healed’, which signifies his specialties in healing. He not only heal physically, but also mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. It’s not just humans Raphael look after, but also heals animals and the Earth. So people connect him to animal care and environmental efforts. He is venerated as Saint Raphael the Archangel.
Not all branches of Abrahamic religions, consider the identification of Raphael to be canonical. Raphael is also mentioned in the Book of Tobit and in the non-biblical book of Enoch, both of which identify him as one of seven archangels. According to Tobit, he listens to the prayers of the righteous and heals the Earth from the misdeeds of the fallen angels, while according to Enoch, he is "set over all disease and every wound of the children of the people." In Enoch he binds the armies of Azazel and throws them into the valley of fire, while in Tobit, he takes on human form as Azariah, which translates to "Yah helps", to aid the human protagonists Tobit and Tobias. In Babylonian Talmud, Raphael is identified as one of the three angels that appeared before Abraham. The three archangels are mentioned as the Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Michael was sent to inform Sarah that she would give birth to Isaac in a year's time. Gabriel's mission was to destroy Sodom, which was a city where sinners lived. Raphael was tasked to heal Abraham from his recent circumcision, and save Lot, who is the nephew of Abraham.
In the book of Tobit, Archangel Raphael appears in human form, identifying himself as Azarias, the son of the great Ananias. He accompany the journey of Tobias, the son of Tobit. During the journey, it could be seen, the protective nature of Azarias towards Tobias. He even advise him, on how to get rid of the demon Asmodeus’s influence over Sarah, who was to be his wife. Asmodeus killed every man Sarah married on their wedding night before the marriage can be consummated. The Archangel helped Tobias to bind Asmodeus in the far corner of the desert, on their wedding night.
In the New Testament, only the archangels Gabriel and Michael are mentioned by name. But in John 5: 1 - 4, it is written,
“After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem, by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these, lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.”
In this phrase, it is mentioned of an angel who bless the water of a pond with healing capabilities. But it doesn’t specifically say its Raphael, but since the archangel contain healing powers, scholars now believe it is to be Raphael. Due to his actions in the Book of Tobit and the Gospel of John, Saint Raphael is accounted patron of travelers, the blind, happy meetings, nurses, physicians, medical workers, matchmakers, Christian marriage, and Catholic studies. Raphael is believed to guard pilgrims on their journeys. So he is often depicted holding a staff, to signify his guidance. He is also often depicted holding or standing on a fish, which alludes to his healing of Tobit with the fish's gall.
Raphael is given the name Israfel in Islamic traditions. Muslims believe him to be the trumpeter who’d blow the trumpet to rise the dead on the day of the judgement. They believe Israfel to have 4 wings and is so tall as to be able to reach from the earth to the pillars of heaven. It is believed that he sings praises to God in a thousand different languages, and mediates between God and the other archangels. In Doge's Palace which is situated in Venice, there is a statue depicting Raphael holding a scroll on which is written: "Efficia fretum quietum" which means Keep the Gulf quiet.
Angels are known to emit a beautiful aura. This aura is unique to each angel and through this aura, one can easily identify who the angel is. Archangel Raphael's energy color is Green. So if you feels like you are surrounded by a green light, it means you are visited by archangel Raphael.
Raphael often brings new ideas that you can use as valuable tools to pursue healing. Archangel Raphael frequently answers prayers by whispering suggestions, that you hear as thoughts, feelings, dreams, and visions. Another sign of Raphael's presence with you, is guidance that you receive about how to heal, and restore relationships you have with others, that have become broken. The way that Raphael often chooses to help heal your relationships, is by encouraging you to communicate your feelings fully to other people. The urge to care for nature is believed to be because of the influence of the archangel. People who care for nature are often guided by Raphael.
Have you experienced any visits from archangel Raphael?
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