Venerable Luke Thaumaturgus

Luke of Steiris, also known as Luke, Luke the Younger, Luke of Hellas, Luke the Wonder-worker (Greek: Λουκάς ό θαυματουργός; 896 — 953 AD) was a Byzantine saint of the tenth century AD who lived in the themes (provinces) of Hellas and Peloponnese in Greece, and who founded the Monastery of Hosios Loukas (Venerable Luke) on the slopes of Mount Helicon, between Delphi and Levadia, near the coast of the Gulf of Corinth in Boeotia, Greece. He was one of the earliest saints to be seen levitating in prayer. The principal source for Luke's life is an anonymous Life written by a monk of Hosios Loukas who had been one of Luke's followers. His feast day is commemorated on February 7, and the translation of his relics on May 3. His relics are preserved in his monastery of Hosios Loukas. Luke was a native of the Greek village of Kastorion in Phocis. He was the third of the seven children of Stephen and Euphrosyne. The Life, typically for the genre, begins with signs of Luke's closeness to God as a child. For instance, Luke is recorded as having done 'nothing in a childish fashion', and is seen to be close to God when his mother witnesses him levitating in prayer. The son of poor farmers, the saint worked in the fields and tended sheep. As a child Luke tried twice to leave home to seek a solitary life of prayer. The first time, he attempted to withdraw to Thessaly, but was captured by soldiers lying in wait for escaped slaves and was returned home. The second time he had more success, meeting two monks journeying from Rome to Jerusalem who took him to a monastery in Athens where he received the small habit. After Luke's mother prayed for her son's return however, God made her appear in a dream to the abbot and commanded him to return Luke to his home. At the age of 14, with his mother's blessing, he went to a solitary place on a mountain called Ioannou (or Ioannitza) and for 7 years lived as an ascetic.