St. Raphael (Hawaweeny) was the first Orthodox bishop ever consecrated in America. He came to this land in 1895 and poured out his apostolic life as a missionary bishop, establishing more than thirty parishes, gathering the lost sheep in America, and preaching the Gospel. He reposed in 1915, and was glorified as a saint by the church in 2000. He is a mighty patron of Orthodox Christianity in America, and this magnificent Akolouthia is chanted by one of his most devoted servants in America.