I have painted the icon in the traditional Orthodox manner. In the center is St. Raphael in his guise as "Azariah" from the Book of Tobit. He is armed to protect Tobit's son, Tobias, on their journey. He holds a cheirographon, a torn document, the other half of which is held by Tobit's friend, Gabael. To his right is Tobit; the absence of eyes indicates his blindness. In the lower left is the great fish, with which he performed miracles, including the restoration of sight to Tobit. In the background is the River Tigris and desert mountains. -Byron Birdsall