ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST (OCT. 18TH)

 

A Late Byzantine Mosaic Icon of St. Luke Writing the First Icon

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

On the 18th of October, the Western Orthodox celebrate the memory of St. Luke the Evangelist, one of the 70, Author of the Gospel of Luke, Physican, and Missionary to the Greeks with St. Paul the Apostle. He is credited with painting the first icons of Christ and the Theotokos, and is known as a great missionary to the Greeks through the use of medicine and art. As such, he is seen in the Orthodox Tradition as a great Renaissance Man amongst the Saints, and the patron of those who practice Hagiography, Iconography, Art and Medicine. 

COLLECT

ALMIGHTY GOD, who calledst Luke the Physician, whose praise is in the Gospel, to an Evangelist, and Physician of the soul: May it please thee that, by the wholesome medicines of the doctrine delivered by him, all the diseases of our souls may be healed; through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Traditional Icon of Virgin and Child Attributed to St. Luke