Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene
The following true account is one of the most amazing stories I have ever heard. As far as I am concerned, the story of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene is one of the most compelling evidences of the afterlife in history, and for the truthfulness of Orthodox Christianity. We actually have physical evidence (the discovery of relics and artifacts) corroborating the information provided by the saints in their postmortem appearances.
The Orthodox Christian saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene were martyred in Greece by Turks (Muslims) on April 9, 1463. Raphael was a priest-monk and Abbot of a monastery in Karyes, Nicholas was a deacon and Irene was the twelve year old daughter of the Mayor of Thermi. Irene was visiting the monastery at the time the barbarous Turks invaded it.
In 1959 these martyrs began appearing to people in dreams (enypnia) and visions (horamata, optasiai) in Greece, describing their story and martyrdom’s in detail. Nicholas and Irene pointed out the locations of their graves and relics—which were later confirmed. The grave and relics of Raphael were also discovered, but by accident. I say “accident” because in truth it was by divine providence. No one had even known about the existence of these particular martyrs until they started appearing in 1959.
Dr. Constantine Cavarnos (author of a book on these saints) personally interviewed chief eye-witnesses. Dr. Cavarnos was a highly educated savant with a Ph.D. in philosophy from Harvard University. Cavarnos described the story of these saints as "one of the greatest stories ever told." I was actually privileged to speak with Cavarnos on the phone many years ago.
The miraculous events of these saints was reported in the Greek [Athenian] newspaper "Eleutheria" titled "Great Miracles in a Village of Mytilene."
Initially, St. Raphael appeared numerous times to Arif Efenti at a mansion, and at the house of Constantine Siahos. He was known simply as “the ghost,” and “the apparition (phantasma) that causes no evil.” He appeared in the visible world assisting people in need. He would appear and disappear with a flash of lightening.
The saints provided detailed information of their martyrdom’s. Excavations of the graves (based on the postmortem information of Nicholas and Irene) were conducted and confirmed. The relics of Raphael were “accidentally” discovered by Doukas Tsolakis. I call this an “accident” because in truth it was by divine providence. Discovered near the relics of Raphael was an enkolpian, with the image of Christ Pantocrator (this discovery resulted from a dream seen by Kostas Kanellos), Raphael’s skeleton (his lower jaw was missing) and three crosses inscribed on a red tile. I mentioned the fact that the lower jaw was missing, because this is evidence, since Raphael reported that his jaw had been sawed off by the Turks. Doukas Tsolakis (originally an unbeliever), took the larger relics and put them in a bag. There was a jarring in his had, like an electric shock. This happened three times. On the enkolpian is inscribed the sacred letters IC XC [IHCOYC XPICTOC] = JESUS CHRIST. From the day that the icon of Christ was found, many great miracles occurred. (An enkolpian is a medallion bearing a sacred picture that is worn on the breast of a bishop of the Orthodox Church).
Doukas’ wife, Maria, had a dream of the Blessed Virgin Mary ("the Panagia"), who instructed her to stop the workmen, including her husband (all unbelievers), because they blasphemed from morning until evening, and to hire others to do the work of the excavation.
Doukas Tsolakis reports that he had mocked the relics. He reports having been literally pushed down by St. Raphael, who stated:
"You unbeliever! For two months now you have been working here steadily, and you have been ridiculing the religion; and today you have been ridiculing my bones!"
(Note: The religion is Orthodox Christianity).
Doukas Tsolakis also reports having been beaten by St. Raphael. Tsolakis entreated the Blessed Virgin Mary to forgive him for his unbelief, and invoked her for help during the beating. The Blessed Virgin appeared with another woman (St. Paraskevi). The Blessed Virgin Mary instructed Raphael to stop the beating, stating, "That is enough!"
The Virgin Mary told Doukas that he must believe in God, fast for three days, and receive Holy Communion. She told him that he would be paralyzed for three days, and that there should be an all-night vigil service for his recovery, and he would become well (which in fact happened). She instructed him to remain in the chapel all night. She also stated that if he were to be carried down to the village the same night, he would be unliftable. Doukas was paralyzed, and the Blessed Virgin instructed him to wear a black shirt for eleven days and to remain inside the chapel all that night, in order to learn about the mystery hidden underneath. She said that he would remain paralyzed for three days. (Confirmed). Despite his protest to the church council and physician, they forced him out of the church. It took eleven men to move him, even though he only weighed 140 lbs.
Doukas Tsolakis conducted the excavation for the relics of St. Nicholas. When he began digging, he stopped, because the ground was too hard. That night he had a dream of St. Nicholas, who stated:
"I am Nicholas. Why do you doubt that my grave is here? Have you forgotten what St. Raphael did to you? You will suffer greater punishment from me!"
With some difficulty, Doukas resumed digging and found the grave containing the skeleton of St. Nicholas. Soon after, many miraculous cures occurred. On the same day that St. Nicholas' grave was found, a round Patriarchal Privilege Seal dating to the fourteenth century was discovered. On one side of the seal is depicted an image of the All-Holy Virgin (Mary). On the other side of the seal the image of Michael the Archangel. This discovery was confirmation of dreams that there was in that region a buried icon of the Theotokos. On the head of the image of Mary is a large halo. On both sides of the halo there are two capital Greek letters, abbreviations of Meter Theou, "Mother of God."
The relics of Sts. Nicholas and Irene were also found, based on the information of their postmortem appearances. Charred bones of Irene were located (evidence of the truthfulness of her report that she had been burned to death). Among the relics of Irene was also found relics of her martyred father, Vasilios, Mayor of the city of Thermi.
St. Irene appeared in a dream to Kostas Kanellos. She showed him a small round icon, stating:
"Take this icon and come and dig at the spot where I am standing. It is under the slabs of the pavement."
St. Irene appeared to Kostas in a dream the next night, stating:
"Kostas, do not hesitate at all. There is an icon at the spot which I showed you."
When Kostas began to dig, the icon was discovered and leaped from the ground. Kostas wept in amazement.
A year after the discovery of the relics of St. Nicholas a holy spring was located, six meters under the pavement of the ancient church. The existence of this holy spiring was first conveyed to Maria Balabanis in a dream.
St. Raphael requested that an icon of him be painted.
The wife of Igantios Karakonstantis (a Greek rural guard) had a dream of a woman dressed in black. The woman identified herself as Panagia (the All-Holy Virgin).
A woman named Catherine Lystras (resident of Pamphila, Lesvos) used to be a very worldly woman. But then she started seeing and hearing St. Raphael in dreams and visions. He asked her to change her way of life, and to concern herself with the salvation of her soul. He also requested of her that a monastery be built in Karyes. He also told her that many people from all parts of the world would be healed there, and that many unbelievers would come to believe in Christ. Catherine describes her experiences in a booklet called "The Wondrous Transformation According to Christ of Catherine Lystras."
St. Raphael asked people to whom he had manifested himself to become more godly --to fast, to receive Holy Communion, to practice Christian love, to pray, etc.
Metropolitan Iakovos Kleomvrotos was a scholar who authored many books that pertain to church history and archaeology. In recognition of his scholarly achievements, the Academy of Athens made him a member in 1987. Metropolitan Iakavos points out four important things about these martyrs:
1. The finding (verification) with a pickax of the relics, from the information provided by the saints in dreams and visions.
2. The full harmony of the events provided by St. Raphael with the historical events of his age.
3. The revelation of the day of the martyrdom of St. Raphael on April 9 (as Tuesday was dawning, the Tuesday of Easter) 1463. Research confirms that Easter fell on April 8 that year. (St. Raphael was right).
4. Numerous miracles occurred from these saints, as far away as the United States, Australia, Malta, etc.
(Metropolitan Iakovos published a small book on St. Raphael and the monastery at Karyes, called "Saint Raphael and the Holy Monastery of Karyes on Mytilene."
Miraculous cures from these saints have been reported in all parts of Greece, Cypress, West Germany, Australia, Canada, the United States, Malta.
The Holy New Martyrs requested that they be honored and commemorated in a grand manner (since they are saints), and that icons be made of them.
Hundreds of miracles have been conducted by the saints.
In some appearances, St. Raphael was seen by many (as if escorted) by persons who had been monastics at the Monastery of Karyes.
St. Raphael gave the names of women monastics there: Abbess Olympia and sister Euphrosyne. Both of them were martyred on May 11, 1235. Abbess Olympia has actually appeared with St. Raphael.
THESE SAINTS CONFIRM ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES AND PRACTICES
From the statements of St. Raphael:
1. Confirmation of the existence of the Holy Trinity.
2. Prayer to the Holy Trinity.
3. In a dream, St. Raphael made the sign of the cross three times over Vasiliki Rallis, who had been suffering from a stomach ailment. As he made the sign of the cross, he stated: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." She became well.
4. Confession of our sins and receiving Holy Communion.
5. The truthfulness of Christ.
6. The existence of the Kingdom of Heaven.
7. The existence of the Heavenly Father.
8. The benefit of reading the Holy Gospels.
9. The necessity of honoring and invoking the saints.
10. The feast days of saints.
11. The existence of what St. Raphael called "the evil one" (devil).
12. The existence of the soul.
13. The existence of sin.
14. That we should forgive people and pray.
15. That we should have faith.
16. That we should keep the ordained fasts, like the Wednesday and Friday fasts, and Great Lent.
17. That we should attend church services regularly.
18. That we should read religious books.
19. That we should study the Acts of the Apostles.
20. That we should read the Salutations to the Theotokos.
21. That we should repent and pray.
22. That we should say these prayers:
"In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us." "Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit." "We venerate Thine immaculate icon...."The Cross, the guardian of the whole oecumene..." "The Creed and the Lord's Prayer..." "O All-Holy Lady Theotokos [the light of my darkened soul, my hope and protection]..."
23. That we should embrace sinners with our love and not avoid them.
24. "Happy is the Christian who studies and follows the teaching of Christ."
25. There is life after death. The soul does not vanish after death. it continues to live.
25. Confirmation of the Orthodox doctrine that the relics of saints are channels of divine grace.
26. Confirmation of the Orthodox practice of venerating icons.
27. Confirmation of the Orthodox practice of venerating the Cross and making the sign of the Cross when praying.
28. Confirmation of the Orthodox practice of singing hymns to saints.
29. Confirmation of Orthodox Christian monasticism (a very important Christian institution).
The story of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene is what I classify as a highly evidential case, not only for the survival of consciousness after death, but also for the truthfulness of Orthodox Christianity. It is highly significant that these saints provided detailed information about their executions, and that Nicholas and Irene directed people to their graves and relics. Bones were found in the locations. Additionally, St. Irene's bones were charred, corroborating her report that she has been burned to death. (Photios Kountaglou confirmed that there was found the head of a child, and on the mouth a tile with an inscribed cross, and ten charred vertebrae). The rest of her bones were found earlier in a cask at another location. St. Raphael's lower jaw was missing, corroborating his report that it had been sawed off. Among the bones of these saints were other artifacts. If a spirit were to return from the dead, what would one expect? We actually have physical evidence in this case. I would encourage people to think deeply about the significance of this story, and on the implications it has for your own soul. Finally, I want to stress that some of the visions were experienced by groups of people. There is no such thing as group hallucinations in the psychological literature. The story of these saints strongly attests not only to the existence of the spiritual world, but also to the truthfulness of Orthodox Christianity.
BOOKS ON THE MARTYRS, RAPHAEL, NICHOLAS AND IRENE
Modern Orthodox Saints: Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene of Lesvos, By Constantine Cavarnos;
(Note: Cavarnos not only interviewed chief eye-witnesses, but he witnessed an apparition of St. Irene, with four other people (two sisters named Dourgouna, Alexander Naoum and Angelos Rallis) when visiting a relevant chapel in the region. Naoum and the Dourgouna sisters also saw St. Raphael. Cavarnos recounts these things in his book. One of the people Cavarnos interviewed was Angelos Rallis. According to Angelos, prior to these events, 80% of the people of Thermi (Greece) were unbelievers or religiously indifferent. At the time of the interview, the situation had been reversed. About 20% of the people were unbelievers or indifferent).
I believe the following books are only in Greek:
A Great Sign, By Photius Kontoglou;
Thy Will Be Done, By Georgios Mysiris;
Ho Hagios Raphael ho Ithkesios ("Saint Raphael the Ithacan"), by Theodoros Patsis;
History of the Holy Convent of Saint Raphael, By Abbess Evgenia Kleidara;
New Miracles by Saint Raphael (seven volumes), By Abbess Evgenia Kleidara.
(Abbess Eugenia Klidara has written 83 books on the miracles of these saints).
The Abbess Evgenia writes:
"Never before has the world seen so many miracles and signs which astonish the minds of people, and the occurrence of so many cures of illnesses of the body and of the soul. Never before were so many revelations made."
(St. Raphael had actually revealed his desire that Mother Evgenia become Abbess, which did in fact happen).
AUXILIARY NOTES
A vision of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene once lasted for about three hours, from 9:00 P.M. to midnight.
THE FOLLOWING HISTORICAL DISCOVERIES WERE REVEALED THROUGH SUPERNATURAL REVELATIONS
1. The Virgin Mary revealed to Doukas Tsolakis in a dream that "There exist precious articles at Karyes, and the proper time of their discovery will come." (Confirmed).
2. The Virgin Mary revealed to Doukas Tsolakis in another dream that workman conducting an excavation were blaspheming. (Confirmed).
3. The Virgin Mary revealed to Maria Tsolakis in a dream that precious Church objects lay buried under a certain chapel. (Confirmed).
4. The Virgin Mary told Doukas Tsolakis while awake that he would be paralyzed for three days, and that if he were to leave the chapel, he would be unliftable. (Confirmed). It actually took eleven men to move him, even though he only weighed 140 lbs.
5. The Virgin Mary revealed to Maria Tsolakis in a dream that in Karyes, near a church, there was an icon depicting her. (Confirmed).
6. St. Nicholas identified the location of his buried skeleton. (Confirmed).
7. The location of the charred bones of St. Irene was revealed in a dream to Virginia Adams. (Confirmed). Note: Photios Kountaglou confirmed that there was found the head of a child, and on the mouth a tile with an inscribed cross, and ten charred vertebrae. See: Semeion Mega ("A Great Sign," p. 149).
8. The location of relics were revealed in a dream to Asimenia Vournovalis. (Confirmed). A similar dream was seen by Apostolos Hadjiantoniou, Panagiota Plomaritou, Myrsina Dourgouna and Mrs. Rallis.
9. The location of the holy spring (hagiasma) was revealed in a dream to Maria Balabanis. (Confirmed).
10. The discovery of the enkolpian with the image of Christ resulted from dreams seen by Kostas Kanellos. (Confirmed).
11. The location and discovery of a small round icon under the ground was revealed by St. Irene to Kostas Kanellos in a dream. (Confirmed). In the dream, St. Raphael had requested the use of a pickax.
12. St. Raphael told Catherine Lytras that a monastery was to be built in Karyes, and that many people from all parts of the world would be healed there, and that unbelievers would come to faith in Christ. He said that the construction of the monastery would take many years. (Confirmed).
13. St. Raphael revealed in a dream to Metropolitan Iakavos that shortly the money would come for the construction of the monastery. (Confirmed).
14. St. Raphael had revealed to Mother Evgenia his desire that she become Abbess. (Confirmed).
15. Other items found through the revelations of these saints: The grave of the Mayor of Thermi Vasilios and his wife Maria, and the teacher Theodore; the cask in which the Turks burned St. Irene.
16. Churches were built at the following locations, following the orders, instructions and guidance of St. Raphael to Catherine Lystras: Kato Achaia of Patras and at Perachorion, Ithica.
17. The location of the relics of Theodoros (teacher of Thermi), Vasilios (father of St. Irene), his wife Maria were located through the revelations of Theodoros.