St. Luke Shrines and Famous Places
Saint Luke, the Evangelist, was born a Greek and a Gentile. He is the only non-Jew to have written books in the Bible. Luke was a close companion of Paul of Tarsus and accompanied him during his missionary journeys. He is the first Christian physician and is respected by scholars for the historical accuracy in his writings.
Recent scientific research has proven the relics in the Basilica of St. Justina in Padua, Italy are those of Saint Luke, the Evangelist. The research was conducted at the request of Archbishop Antonio Malttiazzo of Padua.
Saint Luke was the author of the third Gospel and the Acts of
the Apostles. According to tradition, his body was taken to Constantinople
in the fourth century during the Crusades and later transported
to Padua. His headless skeleton has been kept in a lead box in
the Basilica of St. Justina in Padua, Italy. Saint Luke's cranium
was brought to St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague in 1364 by the request
of Emperor Charles IV.
There is debate as to when St. Luke's body was transported from
Constantinople to Padua, as historical archives reveal that St.
Luke's bones may have been in the city as early the eighth century,
during the Iconoclastic Controversy.
It is believed that Luke lived a long life and died of natural
causes. His feast day is October 18th. He is often portrayed painting
a picture of Mary. He has also been portrayed with pen in hand
and an ox, the symbol of sacrifice, standing nearby. Luke is the
patron saint of physicians, surgeons and artists.
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