Sarah Mitchell
St. Luke, a physician and companion of St. Paul, is believed to have died at 84 years of age. He is venerated as a martyr by the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and other major denominations. According to tradition, he was martyred at the age of 84 in the Greek city of Thebes, Boeotia, or in Elaea in Peloponnesus. His relics are divided and kept in various locations, including the Basilica of Santa Giustina in Padua, Italy, and the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Death | 84 years old, possibly a martyr |
| Place of death | Boeotia, Greece |
| Burial place | Body in the Abbey of Santa Giustina in Padua, Italy; Skull in the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague; A rib at his tomb at the Holy Church of Luke the Evangelist in Thebes |
| Date of death | Between AD 72 and AD 416 |
| Cause of death | Crucified on an olive tree |
| Known as | Saint Luke, Saint Luke the Evangelist, Luke the Evangelist |
| Profession | Physician |
| Religion | Christian |
| Patron saint of | Artists, physicians, bachelors, notaries, butchers, brewers, and others |
| Feast day | 18 October |
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What You'll Learn
St Luke's death at 84
St Luke, also known as St Luke the Evangelist, was a physician and a companion of St Paul the Apostle. He is believed to have been a martyr, with some sources claiming he was hanged from an olive tree. He is said to have died at the age of 84 in Boeotia, in modern-day Greece, after settling there to write his Gospel.
St Luke is believed to have been a gentile Christian of Greek descent, born in Antioch, in modern-day Turkey, or Syria. He is known for writing two books of the New Testament: the Gospel According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. His Gospel is believed to have been written for a gentile audience, and it includes a unique perspective on Jesus, with a focus on social justice and the poor.
According to tradition, St Luke was a physician and a disciple of St Paul, accompanying him on his missionary journeys. He is also believed to have been a direct disciple of Jesus. He is described by Paul as "our dear friend Luke, the Doctor" and "the beloved physician". St Luke is said to have stayed with St Paul during his imprisonment in Rome and is believed to have been present at his martyrdom in the year 67.
After St Paul's death, St Luke is said to have preached throughout the Mediterranean, in Italy, Gaul, Dalmatia, and Macedon. Some sources claim that he preached in Egypt and Thebais. His remains were initially buried in Thebes, but they were later moved to Constantinople (now Istanbul) in the year 338 CE. Today, his relics can be found in various locations, including the Abbey of Santa Giustina in Padua, Italy, the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, and the Holy Church of Luke the Evangelist in Thebes.
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Martyrdom
St Luke, also known as St Luke the Evangelist, is believed to have been a martyr. He is thought to have died at the age of 84, and according to some sources, he was hanged from an olive tree. However, there are conflicting reports of his death.
St Luke is believed to have been a physician and a disciple of St Paul, accompanying him on his missionary journeys. He is also credited with writing two books of the New Testament: the Gospel According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. His gospel is believed to have been written for a Gentile audience, and it includes a unique perspective on Jesus, with a focus on social justice and the poor.
St Luke is said to have been martyred in the Greek city of Thebes, in Boeotia, at the age of 84. His tomb was purportedly located near the place of his death. His relics are now divided and kept in various locations, including the Basilica of Santa Giustina in Padua, Italy, the Abbey of Santa Giustina in Constantinople (now Istanbul), and the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, which houses his skull.
Some early writers claim that St Luke was martyred, while others suggest he lived a long life, preaching in various places such as Italy, Gaul, Dalmatia, and Macedon. St. Gregory Nazianzen, St. Paulinus, and St. Gaudentius of Brescia support the belief that he died a martyr, while other sources, like Bede, Ado, Usuard, and Baronius, suggest he suffered for his faith but died at an old age in Bithynia.
The exact circumstances of St Luke's death remain uncertain, but he is venerated as a martyr by the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and other Christian denominations.
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Burial and relics
It is believed that St. Luke the Evangelist, the companion of St. Paul, died at the age of 84 in Boeotia, Greece. His death is traditionally attributed to old age and natural causes. Now, let's focus on the burial and relics associated with St. Luke:
The body of St. Luke was buried in Anatolia, specifically in a town called Thebes, which is located in modern-day Turkey. This location held significance for Luke as it was where he is said to have painted an icon of the Virgin Mary, which was revered by the locals. Luke's tomb quickly became a site of pilgrimage and devotion, with many miracles attributed to his intercession. The original tomb and the icon were reportedly destroyed during the iconoclastic controversies of the 8th and 9th centuries, a time when the use of religious images and icons was hotly contested within the Christian church.
However, before the destruction, it is believed that his remains were transferred to Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) in the 4th century by Emperor Constantius II. This relocation ensured the safety and preservation of the relics during a time of religious unrest in the region. In Constantinople, the relics were enshrined in the Church of the Holy Apostles, which was built by Emperor Constantine and housed the tombs of several apostles and early Christian saints.
The distribution of relics was a common practice in the medieval era, and portions of St. Luke's relics were dispersed across Europe. Some of these relics were transferred to Padua, Italy, and are still venerated today in the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua. Other portions of his relics are believed to be in the Abbey of Santa Giustina, also in Padua, and in the Abbey of Monte Cassino, south of Rome.
One of the most notable relics associated with St. Luke is his arm, which is preserved in the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, Czech Republic. This relic has been the subject of devotion and pilgrimage for centuries. Another important relic is his head, which is believed to be preserved in the Abbey of Santa Giustina in Padua. These relics have been the focus of artistic depictions and have played a significant role in shaping the veneration of St. Luke throughout Christian history.
The burial site and relics of St. Luke have been integral to the development of Christian devotion and pilgrimage traditions. They serve as tangible connections to the early Christian community and bear witness to the enduring impact of St. Luke's life and contributions to the faith. The distribution of his relics across Europe has also fostered a widespread devotion to St. Luke and provided opportunities for believers to venerate and seek his intercession.
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Luke's life and work
Early Life and Conversion:
Luke is believed to have been born a Greek in Antioch, Syria, and lived during the 1st century AD. He is described as a physician and is thought to have been well-educated, possibly with a broad knowledge of science and philosophy. Luke was likely a gentile, and his name, "Loukas," suggests a Greek origin. Tradition holds that he was a painter and possibly a slave at some point in his early life. Luke's encounter with Paul and his subsequent conversion to Christianity are not directly described in the Bible, but it is generally believed that he became a follower of Paul and joined him on his missionary journeys.
Association with Paul and Missionary Work:
Luke is closely associated with the apostle Paul, and his name appears several times in Paul's letters. He joined Paul on his journeys, including the journey to Jerusalem, and was with him during his imprisonment. Luke is the only gentile author of books in the New Testament, and his writings provide valuable insight into the early Christian missionary work and the spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish communities.
Author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts:
Luke is the traditional author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts in the New Testament. His gospel is the longest of the four gospels and provides a unique perspective on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Luke's gospel is known for its emphasis on universal salvation, compassion, and social justice. It includes well-known episodes such as the Parable of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. The Book of Acts, which continues the narrative started in Luke's gospel, provides a detailed account of the early Christian church and the missionary work of Paul and other apostles.
Death and Sainthood:
The details of Luke's death are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible or early historical records. Traditional accounts suggest that he may have died a natural death, possibly of old age, or that he was martyred. Some legends claim he was hanged, beheaded, or died in Greece or Egypt. However, these accounts are not supported by concrete historical evidence. Luke is recognized as a saint in the Catholic Church, with his feast day celebrated on October 18. He is considered the patron saint of physicians, artists, and butchers, among other professions.
Overall, Luke's life and work demonstrate his dedication to spreading the message of Christianity and providing a detailed account of the life of Jesus and the early church. His writings continue to shape Christian theology and provide valuable historical context for understanding the early Christian community.
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Veneration and commemoration
The death of Saint Luke, the companion of the apostle Paul and author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, is shrouded in tradition and legend. While the exact details of his death are not known, various traditions and accounts have emerged over the centuries, honoured and commemorated by the Catholic Church.
Saint Luke is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, and other Christian denominations. His feast day is observed on October 18 in the Catholic Church and on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers in the Orthodox Church.
In the Catholic tradition, Saint Luke is often depicted in art with a calf or ox, symbolizing the four evangelists as the four living creatures in the Book of Ezekiel and the Book of Revelation. He is also often shown painting the Virgin Mary, emphasizing his tradition as an iconographer and the author of the Gospel that emphasizes Mary's role in salvation history.
Pilgrimage sites associated with Saint Luke include the Basilica of Santa Giustina in Padua, Italy, which houses relics believed to be those of the saint, and the Church of San Luca in Bologna, Italy, which is built on the site traditionally associated with his death and houses a relic of his body.
Various liturgical prayers and hymns honour Saint Luke, including the "Hymn to Saint Luke" used in the Byzantine liturgical tradition and the "Litany of the Saints," which includes his name and is recited on solemn occasions and feast days.
The liturgical celebration of Saint Luke's feast day may include special Masses, prayers, and Scripture readings. The Gospel reading is often chosen from Luke's Gospel, highlighting his contribution to the Christian faith. Devotional practices may include reading and reflecting on passages from the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles, meditating on the life and virtues of Saint Luke, and praying for his intercession.
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Frequently asked questions
St. Luke is believed to have died a martyr at 84 years old. Some sources say he was hanged from an olive tree, while others claim he was crucified on one.
St. Luke is said to have died in Boeotia, Greece, specifically in the city of Thebes.
St. Luke died in the year 84 AD.
St. Luke's remains were initially taken to Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) around 338 CE. They were later moved to Padua, Italy, where they remain today in the Basilica of Santa Giustina. Some relics were also sent to the Abbey of Santa Giustina in Padua, the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, and his tomb at the Holy Church of Luke the Evangelist in Thebes.
