In the sestiere of Dorsoduro, you’ll find the aforementioned church. It is an unusual church in that you can walk right around it, a rare occurrence in Venice.
The church is dedicated to St Raphael, and above the door, you’ll see a fine representation of him, his companion Tobias carrying a big fish, and Tobias’ dog.
I just adore the story of how the Angel Raphael (in disguise) guides the young lad, Tobias, to a distant land, with the aim of collecting an old debt for his blind father. Along the way, Tobias falls in love with a young woman who is possessed by an evil spirit. (Funny how that so often happens!) Raphael teaches Tobias how to get rid of that darn spirit, so young love can triumph, they can live happily ever after, etc., etc. All together now “Awwww.”
To read all about this, and also to find out why Tobias carried that fish for such a long time, you can either open the Old Testament to the Book of Tobit, or go for this simple version: st-raphael-and-tobias
The travelling companions, and fish
Our little friend, Tobias complete with fish
I reckon we should have a “Name that dog” competition. As usual, only fame and glory for the winning entry, no cash prizes. (It’s my contest, I make the rules.)
There you go, Bert, a post set in Venice.
Hello World 
The organ doors are worth a look. They tell the story too, sometimes in that interesting way where different events are shown in the same scene as if happening at the same time. The sacristy is also worth seeing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t paid any attention to the organ doors, Caroline. I shall, next time.
LikeLike
Glad you have posted about this, Yvonne . Outside the churches in Venice often are simple ( not the cathedral of course). They are simple but offer gems such those statues of Raphael, Tobias and the dog . But to appreciate, an observer eye is needed and also some knowledge of the Bible .
Very interesting post
Love ❤
Michel
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your nice comment, Michel. ❤
LikeLike
I see (at Bruce’s blog) you’ve been complaining about not having “author” next to your name, but all your words are in blue, compared to the commenters’ words. I think that’s a nice distinction. Your WordPress “theme” (and, for sure, mine) probably pre-dates Bruce’s and that might make the difference. They’re always coming up with “improvements” at WordPress. NOT. As for the dog, I suggest the unisex name “Blue” (the saint’s symbolic color.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re a good lass for calming my troubled mind, Cynthia!
Blue is a good name, and here in Australia, that’s what you’d be called if you had red hair. (Don’t ask.)
LikeLike
Loved Miss Garnet’s Angel…the reason I know where this church is! What is the decision on the dog’s name?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why not call the dog “Angel”?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now, I have to make a list, shut my eyes and poke the list with a pin …
LikeLike
I have a friend who named her dog “Stinky” I’m thinking….the angel is Raphael, the dog is angel, and the fish is stinky….!
LikeLike
LOL!!
LikeLike
Same here, Jane. I had never been near it before reading the book. No decision as yet. Genius can’t be rushed. 🙂
LikeLike
Or read Mis Garnett’s Angel by Salley Vickers…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that a good book, Hilary!
LikeLike
I don’t know about that dog. His smile seems a little fake and I’m wondering if he’s secretly harbouring thoughts about nipping people’s legs, kind of like Cyril in Alexander McCall Smith’s Scotland Street series.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now, isn’t that the truth!
LikeLike
It is so absolutely amazing what we learn on blogs. I immediately Googled “The Fish” by Yeats and read it. Haven’t read any of the commentary yet though.
LikeLike
I think we should name the fish. It looks pretty happy for the state it’s in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s a survivor, being lugged around for goodness knows how many days in the heat. So, do you have a suggestion for his name? (Oh no, another contest to spend minutes over. My life is not my own.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeats. For the poem “The Fish” which is actually in the form of a curse, but whose fish escaped…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now, I have to go read that poem.
LikeLike
Another educational day in the world of Blogdom! I love the poem, and the various interpretations! Thank you arlingwoman.
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/248400
LikeLiked by 2 people
Or maybe Mr. Garnet….is the statue that detailed? Somebody needs to have a look.
Or I’ll second the vote for Gromit!
LikeLike
I actually wasn’t entering….just seconding the vote (oh, do we get to vote?) for Miss Garnet.
LikeLike
No seconding allowed either. (I make up the rules as I go along.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then I have to think of a good Italian dog name and let you know. When is the deadline? Opps. Probably already missed it.
LikeLike
Yes. The deadline has passed.
LikeLike
Riff Raff
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I do like that! But, I’m supposed to be an unbiased judge, right?
LikeLike
The dog should be called Miser – after the person who has organised the competition and is not giving a monetary prize.
LikeLike
You’ll keep, Bruce. And don’t forget, I know where you live and will be closer when I move to Victoria.
(However, you do have a point, and I rather like the name.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
The dog is called Gromit. You just need to look at him.
LikeLike
And Tobias does have a Wallace look about him. Consider yourself a contender, Andrew.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You beat me to it! Look at the expression on his face! He wants to eat cheese on the moon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
He sure looks like Gromit. I think this group was carved in the 1700s, so Gromit’s originator must have been inspired by this image! Wow! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The dog’s definitely a boy dog (no?). I’ve been introduced to many a little dog in Venice. They all act like they own their street or neighborhood. Thx for the insight into this church. Have walked by it often but it’s nice to slow down and be asked to really “see” something.
LikeLike
The dogs in Venice are definitely a law unto themselves, Helen.
Hey, everyone, have a visit to Helen’s blog, she’s a very good artist! (That’s my opinion, and you all know I’m always spot on.)
LikeLike
Thanks for the nod to my blog (or website), Yvonne! Unexpected but appreciated! p.s. I love the close up photos that you post…again, it just makes us stop and LOOK. And, if it was because of “Bert” that you wrote about Venice, then THANK YOU, BERT! Venice awaits me every year when I return to sketch and paint Her again. I’ve been introducing painting students to Her because to not know Her, is to have a huge void in your heart!
LikeLike
I’ve just been wandering through your website, mostly the Italy part right now. How long have you been doing watercolours? And, how long have you been coming to Venice, which has captured your heart and paint brushes?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been painting for 33 years. Started with watercolors and, although I’ve tried MANY other mediums, watercolors were my first love and still are! As for Venice, I first visited Her about 20 years ago and for the last 3 years, I’ve conducted painting workshops there (with another one planned for end April-May 2016). Anyway, I loved learning more about Chiesa Angelo Raffaele! Will think of you when I next pass by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is no competition. A dog needs a good decent name and should be called Fred.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That has a good, solid sound to it, suchled. Remember, the judge’s decision is final, no whining if you’re not the winner.
LikeLike
I never whine, but I do break things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Uh-oh.
LikeLike
The Bible or Miss Garnet’s Angel. Love that church but was once chased out by a mad warden. We still don’t know what we did to annoy him. Perhaps he was just ‘eccentric’.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nah, it was you, Andrew! 🙂
Oh, and isn’t Miss Garnet’s Angel a lovely read?
“Oh, wait,” she said, about half an hour and a bowl of muesli later. Were you suggesting The Bible or Miss Garnet’s Angel as names?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a lovely book – I vote for naming the dog Miss Garnet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we will assume the dog is female and name her Miss Garnet.
Now if someone would just name me in her will and leave me more than enough money to live in Venice.
But guess I’ll just have to manage on my own.
LikeLike
That’s not fair, you have to think of a name not already chosen, or you can’t be considered for the prize. Wait, there is no prize …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your entry is in the ever growing list, Annie. Well, there are a couple of others!
LikeLike