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Death at 65 of the priest who blessed waves

BLESSING THE WATERS: Father Raphael at Bournemouth seafront in 2006   
BLESSING THE WATERS: Father Raphael at Bournemouth seafront in 2006

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First published Wednesday 24 September 2008 in News
by Fiona Pendlebury

A PRIEST well-known for his annual blessing of the waters at Bournemouth seafront has died aged 65.

The Very Rev Arch Priest Father Raphael served as priest at St Joseph of Arimathea Church at Cemetery Junction for more than 15 years before his death following a heart operation.

He was a familiar sight at functions in Bournemouth, serving as chaplain to several local schools and at Asda St Paul's.

He was also well known for his extensive charity work and was a leading figure in the fight to save the Winter Gardens from demolition.

And he made regular annual appearances at Bournemouth seafront where, dressed in his distinctive billowing robes, he would cast a cross into the sea to commemorate Christ's baptism at Jordan.

Father Raphael was born David Norman in Northamptonshire and was educated at Wellingborough public school and later the Polytechnic of the South Bank in London, where he studied bakery and catering.

He will be remembered as un untiring worker. He was devoted to the Church

Julia Stevenson
In his thirties he made the decision to become a priest and took up theological studies at Southampton University. He became a lay priest in the Anglican church before joining the Greek Orthodox Church.

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Father Raphael was also a trained conjuror and member of the Magic Circle and performed on stage regularly during the 1970s, on one occasion on the same bill as pop group the New Seekers.

His sister Julia Stevenson, who was his assistant on the stage, said: "In his younger days he was a cabaret artist and used to do a lot of conjuring. I performed with him at the time as his assistant."

Describing her brother's work as a priest, she added: "He will be remembered as an untiring worker with everyone who needed it.

"He would be called out in the night to people who were dying and needed comfort. He was devoted to the Church."

Father Raphael enjoyed all types of music, ranging from classical and opera to Kylie Minogue, attending one of her concerts shortly before he died.

He is survived by his father, his son Ffilip, 41, and a baby granddaughter.

Everyone is welcome to attend the funeral at 10am on Tuesday at St Joseph of Arimathea Church at Cemetery Junction, Charminster