A Miraculous Discovery: Holy Relics Mistaken for Drugs at Orthodox Seminary
In an unexpected turn of events that blended the sacred with the seemingly suspicious, a worker at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers made a startling discovery last week. What initially appeared to be illegal narcotics turned out to be something profoundly more significant—first-degree relics of Saint Raphael of Brooklyn. The misunderstanding led to quite a scene on the peaceful, tree-lined campus when drug-sniffing dogs and police officers were called to investigate the suspicious items. The confusion stemmed from the unusual packaging of these sacred objects, which had fallen out of a hole in a plastic bag while being transported for photography and cataloging. “The people that found them didn’t know what they were,” explained Father Michael Nasser of the seminary. “They weren’t in a typical container.” This innocent mistake set in motion what could be described as perhaps the most reverent “drug bust” in Yonkers’ history.
What makes this discovery particularly remarkable is the identity of the saint whose relics were found. Saint Raphael of Brooklyn holds a special place in American Orthodox Christian history as the first Orthodox Christian bishop consecrated on American soil. Born in Beirut in 1860 to Syrian parents, Raphael immigrated to the United States in 1895, where he made an indelible mark on Orthodox Christianity in North America. During his ministry, he founded 30 churches across the continent, including St. Nicholas Cathedral in what is now downtown Brooklyn. His contributions to the faith were so significant that he was glorified (recognized as a saint) by the Orthodox Church in America in 2000, some 85 years after his death in Brooklyn in 1915. These relics—which could include bone fragments or other bodily remains—represent a tangible, physical connection to this important historical and spiritual figure.
The discovery unfolded when a seminarian stumbled upon the suspicious-looking items and, erring on the side of caution, immediately approached a police officer who happened to be managing traffic at a nearby construction site. “One of our officers who was actually out here at one of these construction sites and doing some traffic, and he was approached by a member of the seminary who thought they recovered some kind of drugs or some type of illegal substances,” explained Detective Lieutenant Frank Didomizio of the Yonkers Police Department to WABC. The seminary worker’s responsible action reflects the community’s commitment to safety, even as it led to this unusual case of mistaken identity. What might have been an embarrassing situation instead became a moment of reverence and reconnection with an important figure in their faith tradition.
For Orthodox Christians, relics hold profound spiritual significance. They are not merely historical artifacts but sacred objects that provide a direct connection to saints who have gone before. As Father Nasser explained to reporters, “It’s a spiritual connection for us, maintaining our connection to that person. He lived in the 20th century.” In Orthodox tradition, relics are typically kept in special containers called reliquaries and are often venerated by the faithful who believe in their spiritual power. The discovery of these particular relics was especially meaningful given Saint Raphael’s importance to American Orthodoxy and his relatively recent canonization. What seemed miraculous to those at the seminary was that despite the unconventional storage and the jostling that caused them to fall out of their container, the relics appeared to have suffered no damage—a fact that many believers might attribute to divine protection.
Beyond the spiritual significance of recovering these sacred items, the incident created an unexpected opportunity for community building between the seminary and local law enforcement. What began as a potential criminal investigation transformed into a moment of mutual appreciation and blessing. “We got to meet the K-9 units who came out here for a special prayer and blessing and allowed us to thank them for all they do for us at the seminary and the whole community,” Father Nasser told WABC. This beautiful turn of events illustrates how misunderstandings can sometimes lead to meaningful connections across different sectors of society. The image of police officers and their canine partners receiving blessings from Orthodox clergy presents a touching counterpoint to the initial alarm that brought them to the seminary grounds.
Saint Raphael’s legacy, highlighted by this unusual discovery, continues to resonate within Orthodox Christianity in America. As a Syrian immigrant who became a foundational figure in American Orthodoxy, his story embodies the cultural diversity and immigrant contributions that have shaped religious life in the United States. His feast day, celebrated on the first Saturday in November, commemorates a life dedicated to establishing and nurturing Orthodox Christian communities throughout North America. The rediscovery of his relics at St. Vladimir’s Seminary serves as a poignant reminder of how the past remains present in religious traditions, sometimes making itself known in the most unexpected ways. What began as confusion ended in celebration, with these sacred objects now properly identified and presumably secured for appropriate veneration—a happy conclusion to what might be one of the most unusual and blessed “misidentifications” in recent memory.
