St Luke, convert, evangelist, physician, artistLet us pray: “O holy apostle, Luke, entreat our merciful God to grant our souls the remission of sins.”
Historically we know that Luke was a physician by profession, schooled in Tarsus, which ranked with Athens and Alexandria as a center of learning. Greek by birth and he is regarded as an artist. Tradition preserves an account of an icon which Luke painted of the Theotokos during her lifetime. Pious belief traces to this prototype several icons, such as the Vladimir Mother of God, some icons on Athos, and one in Rome.
St Luke is the author of the third Gospel. His Gospel relates to us Jesus’ life and message in a manner that reflects the a concern for women, a strong compassion for the poor and outcast, and a spirit both joyful and urbane. You can speculate that these qualities were present in his own life as a physician and follower of Christ. When you study the works of St Paul you connect that Paul and Luke were close friends and traveling companions on several missionary journeys throughout the Gentile territory. Luke preserved an account of these travels in the Acts of the Apostles.