The Feast of Saint Luke

Join us for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist. St. Luke was a physician and companion of Paul in the early missionary journeys of the church. Tradition credits him as the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, written in Greek so that Gentiles might come to know the story of Jesus. Luke's Gospel alone records treasured stories such as the annunciation to Mary, the visit to Elizabeth, the birth of Jesus in the manger, the angels appearing to shepherds, and Simeon's blessing in the temple. He also includes parables and miracles not found elsewhere, highlighting Christ's compassion and healing power. Acts continues the story with the coming of the Holy Spirit, the apostles' witness in the face of persecution, and the spread of the Good News. Luke is said to have remained with Paul until his death in Rome, and though the details of his own death are uncertain, tradition places it in Greece. Honored as the patron saint of physicians and artists, Luke is also remembered in Orthodox tradition as the first iconographer, bearing witness in word and image to the love of Christ.