Antiochian Orthodox community honors St. Raphael of Brooklyn
Yes, Brooklyn does have its own saint.
Antiochian Orthodox Christians celebrate the feast and life of St. Raphael of Brooklyn each November for his work in establishing the Syrian mission here. He was the first Orthodox bishop consecrated in North America.
This branch of Orthodox Christendom had its roots in ancient Antioch, an ethnically diverse metropolis in Syria during the first century, Common Era, where the followers of Christ were first called Christians. Modern-day Antioch is in Turkey, but just about 12 miles from the Syrian border.
Fast-forward from the ancient Near East to 19th century Brooklyn. Raphael was born Rafia Hawaweeny in Damascus (though some biographical literature from the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of North America lists his birthplace as Beirut, Lebanon). Raphael was educated at Halki Island. He received his theological training in Kiev, Russia (under the auspices of the Russian Orthodox Church, which maintains bonds with the Antiochian Orthodox Church). He was ordained to the priesthood in Moscow.