Luke the Evangelist

Luke the Evangelist is traditionally believed to have been born of a Greek family in Antioch of Syria, a cultured Hellenistic city where he received a fine education. Known in the New Testament as “the beloved physician,” Luke became a close companion of Saint Paul and shared in his missionary journeys, standing by him through hardship and even to Rome near the end of Paul’s life. Though not an eyewitness of Jesus’ public ministry, Luke carefully investigated the apostolic testimony and, inspired by the Holy Spirit, composed the Gospel that bears his name and the Acts of the Apostles—together the Church’s fullest narrative of Christ’s mercy and the Spirit’s work in the early Church. From the earliest centuries, Christians have venerated Luke as a saint and, in many traditions, as a martyr. He is honored as a patron of physicians and artists, and also of various cities and guilds, including the Guild of Saint Luke. His feast day is celebrated on October 18.