Archangel Raphael and Tobias Plaque

Product Description

The Archangel Raphael and Tobias Plaque is a beautiful biblical image. The angel Raphael is mentioned by name twice in the New Testament. Raphael (in Hebrew רָפָאֵל, Rāfāʾēl,) means “God heals.”  This the perfect gift for Raphael’s feast day on September 29th. This plaque is a great gift for name day, birthday or confirmation for anyone named Raphael as well as a wonderful Christmas stocking stuffer!

A Wall Plaque in Three Sizes

This plaque comes in three sizes: small (p29k – 2 x 1.6 inches), medium (p99m – 3.75 x 3 inches), and large (p87g – 7.9 x 6.3 inches). This solid bronze plaque will hang with ease at home or in the office on any wall. This solid bronze plaque – designed and realized by a master bronzesmith in Germany – is a most fitting gift for a birthday, feast day, and confirmation. Also perfect for anyone named Raphael and for that special “Raphael” in your life.

Archangel Raphael – Companion, Healer and Protector

An “archangel” – in Greek, a “chief angel” is an angel higher in rank. The New Testament only names Michael (Jude 1:9) explicitly as an archangel. Yet in Roman Catholic tradition, both Raphael and Gabriel are also archangels.  On September 29th, we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels Gabriel, Michael and Raphael. Raphael is the angel in the Book of Tobit who accompanies Tobias, the son of Tobit, on his way to Media where he meets and marries Sarah. On this plaque, Tobias holds the fish which is the means by which Raphael protects him from the demon Asmodeus, as well as the means by which Raphael heals Tobit’s blindness (for more on Tobias and the fish, see History/Story tab). This solid bronze plaque is a great gift for a birthday, name day, or confirmation.

Tobit 6:2-18 – Tobias catches the fish

The boy Tobias left with the angel Raphael, and the dog followed behind. The two walked on, and when the first evening came they camped beside the Tigris. The boy had gone down to the river to wash his feet, when a great fish leapt out of the water and tried to swallow his foot. The boy gave a shout and the angel said, ‘Catch the fish; do not let it go.’ The boy mastered the fish and pulled it onto the bank. Raphael said, ‘Cut it open; take out gall, heart and liver; set these aside and throw the entrails away, for gall and heart and liver have curative properties.’ Tobias cut the fish open and took out gall and heart and liver. He fried part of the fish for his meal and kept some for salting. Then they walked on again together until they were nearly in Media. Then the boy asked the angel this question, ‘Brother Azarias, what can the fish’s heart, liver and gall cure?’ He replied, ‘You burn the fish’s heart and liver, and their smoke is used in the case of a man or woman plagued by a demon or evil spirit; any such affliction disappears for good, leaving no trace. As regards the gall, this is used as an eye ointment for anyone having white spots on his eyes; after using it, you have only to blow on the spots to cure them.’ They entered Media and had nearly reached Ecbatana when Raphael said to the boy, ‘Brother Tobias.’ ‘Yes?’ he replied. The angel went on, ‘Tonight we are to stay with Raguel, who is a kinsman of yours. He has a daughter called Sarah, but apart from Sarah he has no other son or daughter. Now you are her next of kin; she belongs to you before anyone else and you may claim her father’s inheritance. She is a thoughtful, courageous and very lovely girl, and her father loves her dearly. You have the right to marry her. Listen, brother; this very evening I shall speak about the girl to her father and arrange for her to be betrothed to you, and when we come back from Rhages we can celebrate the marriage. I assure you, Raguel has no right whatever to refuse you or to betroth her to anyone else. That would be asking for death, as prescribed in the Book of Moses, once he is aware that kinship gives you the pre-eminent right to marry his daughter. So listen, brother. This very evening we shall speak about the girl and ask for her hand in marriage. When we come back from Rhages we shall fetch her and take her home with us.’ Tobias replied to Raphael, ‘Brother Azarias, I have been told that she has already been given in marriage seven times and that each time her bridegroom has died in the bridal room. He died the same night as he entered her room; and I have heard people say it was a demon that killed them, and this makes me afraid. To her the demon does no harm because he loves her, but as soon as a man tries to approach her, he kills him. I am my father’s only son, and I have no wish to die. I do not want my father and mother to grieve over me for the rest of their lives; they have no other son to bury them,’ The angel said, ‘Have you forgotten your father’s advice? After all, he urged you to choose a wife from your father’s family. Listen then, brother. Do not worry about the demon; take her. This very evening, I promise, she will be given you as your wife. Then once you are in the bridal room, take the heart and liver of the fish and lay a little of it on the burning incense. The reek will rise, the demon will smell it and flee, and there is no danger that he will ever be found near the girl again. Then, before you sleep together, first stand up, both of you, and pray. Ask the Lord of heaven to grant you his grace and protection. Do not be afraid; she was destined for you from the beginning, and you are the one to save her. She will follow you, and I pledge my word she will give you children who will be like brothers to you. Do not worry.’ And when Tobias heard Raphael say this, when he understood that Sarah was his sister, a kinswoman of his father’s family, he fell so deeply in love with her that he could no longer call his heart his won.

 Tobit 8:1-3 – The Demon Asmodeus is driven away

When Tobias and Sarah had finished eating and drinking and it seemed time to go to bed, the young man was taken from the dining room to the bedroom. Tobias remembered Raphael’s advice; he went to his bag, took the fish’s heart and liver out of it and put some on the burning incense. The reek of the fish distressed the demon, who fled through the air to Egypt. Raphael pursued him there, shackled him and strangled him forthwith.

Tobit 11:1-17 – Tobit is healed of his blindness

They were nearly at Kaserin, opposite Nineveh, when Raphael said, ‘You know the plight in which we left your father; let us go on ahead of your wife and prepare the house ourselves while she travels behind with the others.’ They went on together (Raphael warned Tobias to take the gall with him) and the dog followed them. Anna was sitting, watching the road by which her son would come. She was sure at once it must be he and said to the father, ‘Here comes your son, with his companion.’ Raphael said to Tobias before he reached his father, ‘I give you my word that your father’s eyes will open. You must put the fish’s gall to his eyes; the medicine will smart and will draw a filmy white skin off his eyes. And your father will no more be blind but will be able to see the light.’ The mother ran forward and threw her arms round her son’s neck. ‘Now I can die,’ she said, ‘I have seen you again.’ And she wept. Tobit rose to his feet and stumbled across the courtyard through the door. Tobias came on towards him (he had the fish’s gall in his hand). He blew into his eyes and said, steadying him, ‘Take courage, father!’ With this he applied the medicine, left it there a while, then with both hands peeled away a filmy skin from the corners of his eyes. Then his father fell on his neck and wept. He exclaimed, ‘I can see you, my son, the light of my eyes!’ And he said: Blessed be God! Blessed be his great name! Blessed be all his holy angels! Blessed be his great name for evermore! For, having afflicted me, he has had pity on me and now I see my son Tobias! Tobias went indoors, joyfully blessing God at the top of his voice. Then he told his father everything; how his journey had been successful and he had brought the silver back; how his journey had been successful and he had brought the silver back; how he had married Sarah the daughter of Raguel; how she was following him now, close behind, and could not be far from the gates of Nineveh. Tobit set off to the gates of Nineveh to meet his daughter-in-law, giving joyful praise to God as he went. When the people of Nineveh saw him walking without a guide and stepping forward as briskly as of old, they were astonished. Tobit described to them how God had taken pity on him and had opened his eyes. Then Tobit met Sarah the bride of his son Tobias, and blessed her in these words. ‘Welcome, daughter! Blessed be your God for sending you to us, my daughter. Blessings on your father, blessings on my son Tobias, blessings on yourself, my daughter. Welcome now to your won house in joyfulness an din blessedness. Come in, my daughter.’ That day brought joy to the Jews of Nineveh.

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