Apostle and Evangelist Luke

The Icon

Apostle and Evangelist Luke

Feast day Oct. 18

St. Luke appears in his icon his large forehead is symbolic of great wisdom. St. Luke was a man of many talents who remained a bachelor, devoting himself entirely to serving Christ. His fellow apostle, St. Paul called him the "glorious physician." St. Luke came from the city of Antioch, Syria, but was a Roman and an early convert to Christianity. In addition to being a physician, he was a missionary, an iconographer, a linguist and writer who possessed historical clarity and great _expression as seen in the Gospel and the Book of Acts which are attributed to his writings. He is the patron saint of physicians and artists.

Troparion in tone 5

Let us praise with sacred songs the Holy Apostle Luke,
The recorder of the Joyous Gospel of Christ,
And the scribe of the Acts of the Apostles,
For his writings are a testimony of the Church of Christ:
He is the Physician of human weaknesses and infirmities.
He heals the wounds of our souls,
And constantly intercedes for our salvation!

Kontakion in tone 4

You became a disciple of God the Word,
With Paul you enlightened all the world,
Casting out its darkness by composing the Holy Gospel of Christ.

For information concerning the life of Apostle and Evangelist Luke please click here