Christian tradition starting from the 8th Century states that Saint Luke was the first icon painter. He was a disciple of St Paul and accompanied him on his travels. Saint Luke lived in a cave for a while during a period of asceticism. Originally he was a physician and was widely educated, particularly in research work and Greek studies.
It was believed that Saint Luke met Mary the mother of Jesus, and it is widely questioned whether or not, Mary helped Luke compile 'The Gospel of Saint Luke ? Described as the most beautiful book in the world.
He was considered to be the first Christian Historian and the only Gentile writer of The New Testament.
It was Luke who chronicled the Christian rendition of Christmas .
St Luke was the only evangelist to provide certain information about the conception, infancy and childhood of Jesus. These events were described in the Bible by St Luke alone, including The Annunciation, (the announcement by The Archangel Gabriel that Mary had been chosen to be the mother of Christ). This links to the letter Z where I wrote about Zachariah when The Angel Gabriel appearing before him to tell him his barren wife Elizabeth would bear a child who would be called John (John the Baptist). Elizabeth was the cousin of The Virgin Mary. St Luke wrote about this in his gospel.
The words of St Luke are the basis for the 'Hail Mary' and the Angelus, ( Latin) for Angel.
Saint Luke also chronicled the only gospel account of the Visitation, which contains, what is considered to be one of the world's most beautiful prayers,
'The Magnificat'.
Going back to the meeting of Mary and Saint Luke I have a feeling that, perhaps they met outside of Ephesus at her secluded house (LINK)....We visited Mary's house on our way to Ephesus. We know he travelled there with St Paul but I cannot as yet find a (Link) to confirm this. Also John the Baptist met with Mary around this time but again that's another story!
It all (LINKS) up with my introduction on ABCW next week.
I wrote of Ephesus recently on ABCW, ( letter E ) I remember seeing the grave of Saint Luke when we visited there .... (Link)...
If it is true that Saint Luke did indeed meet Mary when he was travelling with Saint Paul, this would be almost more than likely at her secluded house near Ephesus (Link) and I truly believe he did, because only she could provide him with the vital information regarding the Visitation and the conception of Jesus also details of his childhood
This LINKS up to St Paul's visit to Ephesus where he met Mary, she lived in seclusion, at about 5 kilometres from the city.
Icon of 'The Virgin Mary' created by Saint Luke.
Probably my favorite Gospel.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
I once made a film on Ephesus. Wonderful place...
ReplyDeleteI always feel great works are composed or created thanks to divine grace.
ReplyDeleteNice post!
Have a great week!
Again a very interesting post, Di!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Wil, ABCW
Very comprehensive post and good choice for the letter this week.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate Luke and the gospel of Luke and his writing of the book of Acts.
ReplyDeleteAppropriate for the Lenten Season.
ReplyDeleteFrankly My Dear
Hi Roger,
ReplyDeleteMine too. I think he covers most things we need to know about Christ.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Berowne:t
ReplyDeleteEphesus is truly a magical and most spiritual place. I shall never forget standing at the top of a hill and looking down, what would have been the main road into the city, then gazing upon the magnificent façade of the Library.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hi Anita, thanks for dropping by, I totally agree with you.
ReplyDeleteDivine grace indeed!
You too have a great week, it's always good to hear from you,
best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hi Wil,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, always good to hear from you.
I'm glad you found the post interesting, although Luke was a simple living man he was a great writer and historian, I think that is why Paul liked him to Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Jane,
ReplyDeleteThank's for dropping by and your comments.
Di.
ABCW team.
Hello Ellen,
ReplyDeleteI too am fond of Luke's writing and of course The Acts of the Apostles. I didn't mention because I felt I'd written enough, maybe another time !
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Photo Cache.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments,
I did have Holy Week in mind when writing this.
I used to sing in, what was known as a very good church choir, I loved all the anthems we sang at Eastertide, most of them included The Magnificat and The Nunc Dimittis so lovely when set to music.
Best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.
A very apposite post for Easter - well done Di! X
ReplyDeleteMy only connection with St.Luke is drinking cheap frascati on sunny days as a youngster on the grass around the bombed out church (St.Lukes)....I'm a good boy now!
ReplyDeleteI always find the stories of saints interesting.
ReplyDeleteVery informative. - Margy
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. Thanks for giving me much to think about. :-)
ReplyDeletesomehow I never knew St Luke was a portrait painter...wonderful post♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/lighting/
ReplyDeleteThat's a very interesting post specially for someone with a rudimentary knowledge of Christianity. I had no idea Mary had a cousin.
ReplyDeleteLove all the history, would love to visit someday. Have a BlESSED Easter.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Hi Flowerpot,
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by and your kind comments.
Happy Easter,
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hello Thud,
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by, I'm so glad you're a good boy now!
I wish someone would renovate St Lukes Church, it was such a fine building.
I feel a Community centre would be most appropriate, just keeping the outside as it is, replacing the windows and preparing the inside with a kitchen and some beds where the homeless can sleep in the winter. Also keeping the altar so that the RC and Anglican Cathedrals can serve holy communion to the City's poor and homeless.
Happy Easter Thud,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hi Joy. I think some of the stories are a little far fetched but I do Love St Luke, his writing was simple yet touching,
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter,
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Margy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and your kind comments.
Happy Easter,
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hi Su-sieee,
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you again, and your kind comments.
Happy Easter,
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hi Laurie,
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you again.
so glad you liked the post,
Best wishes,
Di,
Happy Easter.
ABCW team.
Hello Tulika, glad you found it interesting, I have the greatest of respect for all religion, maybe you could share some of yours with us, that would be most interesting...
ReplyDeletebest wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Hello Ann, you must visit Ephesus, you would love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words,
Happy Easter,
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
These icons are beautiful. I'm not a "saints" person, but no matter... the Gospel of Luke is so lovely, I think it was written by the Magdelene. Also, was Luke a healer? I believe so. Thanks so much for this, hon. Amy
ReplyDeleteSharp little pencil:
ReplyDeleteThere is a theory about telling of lost scrolls being found and indicating that Jesus was indeed Mary the Virgin and they had several children.
If this were true it would turn the whole perception of Jesus's life and brutal death, upside down.
I prefer to stick to the original story from the Bible and the following Gospels.
After all, what is Christianity, if not just a decent way of life, caring and loving your fellow man and most of all, respecting other religions in a passive manner!
Easter blessings,
from
Di,
ABCW team.
Oops Typo, last comment from me to Sharp little Pencil, should read That Jesus was really Joseph and the Virgin Mary was Mary Magdelene and they married and had several children,
ReplyDeleteDi.
ABCW team.
My nearest shopping Mall is called St Lukes, I don't know why. It is a secular place.
ReplyDeleteThank you for yor comment. Yes we have a lot in common. That's what I also thought when I read your post. We know so little about Mary, the mother of Jesus. She must have suffered so much seeing her eldest child being tortured and executed. She must have been a very brave lady.
ReplyDeleteKind regards,
Wil
ganga cassette is very nice it has a good content and religious content. It was pleasure to read it Ganga Bhakti Sangeet
ReplyDelete