Feast of St Luke The Evangelist

Luke the Evangelist is one of the Four Evangelists who are traditionally thought to be authors of the canonical gospels. The Early Church ascribed to him authorship of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, which would mean Luke contributed over a quarter of the text of the New Testament, more than any other author.

Prominent figures in early Christianity such as Jerome and Eusebius later reaffirmed his authorship, although a lack of conclusive evidence as to the identity of the author of the works has led to discussion in scholarly circles, both secular and religious.

The New Testament mentions Luke briefly a few times, and the Epistle to the Colossians refers to him as a physician (from Greek for ‘one who heals’); thus he is thought to have been both a physician and a disciple of Paul. Thus Luke is also associated with Services of Healing.

Since the early years of the faith, Christians have regarded him as a saint. He is believed to have been a martyr, reportedly having been hanged from an olive tree. The Catholic Church and other major denominations venerate him as Saint Luke the Evangelist and as a patron saint of artists, physicians, bachelors, surgeons, students and butchers; his feast day is 18 October.

Associated Hymns

• Come to Me (Here is Love, Piano Ensemble, 3 Verses) Free Download
• For Every Blade Of Bright Green Grass (Green Grass, Piano Ensemble, 5 Verses)
• I Am Lifted Up (Lifted, Small Consort, 4 Verses)
• I Am Lifted Up (Vern and Christina Neufeld, 4 Verses)
• Lord We Come To Ask Your Healing (Ar Hyd Y Nos, Organ, 4 Verses)
• May The Mind Of Christ My Saviour (St Leonard’s, Organ, 5 Verses) Free Download
• Refresh My Weary Soul (Eccles, Organ, 4 verses)
• Renew Us Lord (Abergele, Organ, 4 Verses)
• Sun Of My Soul, Thou Saviour Dear (Abends, Organ, 4 Verses)
• Thine Arm O Lord In Days Of Old (St Matthew, Organ, 3 Verses)
• Thou Whose Almighty Word (Moscow, Organ, 4 Verses)
• When I Needed A Neighbour (Neighbour, Piano & Flute, 6 Verses)
• When I’m Afraid And Lost From Sight (Melcombe, Organ, 4 Verses)
• Who Are These Like Stars Appearing (All Saints, Organ, 5 Verses)
• With Vows Given Freely (Pachelbel Canon, Small Ensemble, 3 Verses) Free Download