Our Venerable Father Raphael of Banat, the Hilandarian
Life
Saint Raphael of Banat, known in Serbian tradition as Rafailo Banatski and surnamed "the Hilandarian," was a Serbian monk associated with Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos. He is generally placed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Sent by the Hilandar brotherhood to serve at one of the monastery's estates in the Banat region of present-day Serbia, he settled near what is now the city of Zrenjanin, where he is remembered for a life of strict ascetic discipline.
Although his exact dates are not preserved and the Orthodox Church in America's synaxarion records no biographical detail for him, Serbian sources preserve a local memory of his ascetic dwelling, his death and burial in Banat, and the chapel later raised over his grave. He was canonized by the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church in 1965 and is commemorated on August 16.
Timeline 4 moments
ReadHide
16th–17th c.Monk of HilandarRaphael lived as a monk of Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos, the Serbian house on the Holy Mountain.
Mission to BanatSent to the Hilandar estate in BanatThe Hilandar brotherhood sent him on obedience to one of the monastery's estates (metochia) in the Banat region, in the area of present-day Zrenjanin. There he built a reed hut on the site, in the Gradnulica district, where the Church of the Presentation of the Holy Mother of God later stood.
ReposeDeath and burial in BanatHis exact death date is unknown. He was buried at the site, and a small chapel dedicated to him was afterward raised over his grave, beside the altar of the larger Church of the Presentation.
1965CanonizationThe Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church recognized him as a saint, with commemoration on August 16.
Contributions & Legacy
2 contributions
ReadHide
Ascetic life in Banat
Hilandar Monastery historically held several monastic estates across Serbian lands, including one in Banat. According to Serbian tradition, Raphael was sent from the Holy Mountain to this estate and, on arriving, built a simple reed hut at the place now within the Gradnulica district of Zrenjanin.
He is remembered for keeping a strict rule of monastic discipline, devoted especially to prayer and fasting. Serbian accounts describe him as a contemplative known during his life to the faithful who sought his help.
Relics & Shrines
Raphael was buried at the site of his labors in Banat. A small chapel dedicated to him was later built over his grave, on the southeastern side of the altar of the Church of the Presentation of the Holy Mother of God in Zrenjanin. An icon of the saint is preserved at Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos, and a monastery dedicated to him was begun in the village of Hajdučica in 1985.
