St. Luke

St. Luke, one of the four Evangelists, is a towering figure in Christian history, revered for his contributions to the New Testament. Though the exact details of his birth and death remain unknown, tradition holds that he was born in Antioch, a major city in ancient Syria (modern-day Turkey), and was of Greek origin. Luke was a well-educated man, likely trained in medicine, as evidenced by his title "the beloved physician" in Colossians 4:14. He was not one of the original Twelve Apostles but became a close companion of St. Paul during his missionary journeys, as mentioned in the Pauline epistles (e.g., 2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 1:24). Luke is best known for authoring the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, which together make up nearly a quarter of the New Testament. His Gospel is unique in its emphasis on Jesus" compassion for the poor, outcasts, and women, as well as its detailed accounts of the Nativity and parables like the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. The Acts of the Apostles provides a vivid narrative of the early Church"s growth, focusing on the ministries of Peter and Paul.