Luke the Stylite

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File:Luke the Stylites (Menologion of Basil II).jpg

Venerable Luke the Stylite (Greek: Λουκάς ό Στυλίτης; c. 879-979?) lived in Constantinople in the 10th century.

He served as a soldier during the reign Constantine Porphyrogenitus the Byzantine Emperor. During battle against the Bulgarians Luke witnessed the death of several thousands of people. He believed God had preserved his life and he became a monk, and was later ordained as a presbyter.[https://oca.org/saints/lives/2011/12/11/103525-venerable-luke-the-new-stylite-of-chalcedon "Venerable Luke the New Stylite of Chalcedon", Orthodox Church in America] He decided to take up the ascetic and eremitic life of a stylite. After three years standing on the pillar, he went to Mount Olympos,[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14317b.htm Thurston, Herbert. "Stylites (Pillar Saints)." The Catholic Encyclopedia] Vol. 14. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912 and then to Constantinople, and finally to Chalcedon. For 45 years Luke lived atop a pillar near the city of Chalcedon in pursuit of sanctity in Christ. He is believed to have died circa 970 AD.

Luke the Stylite is commemorated on 11 December in the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Rite Eastern Catholic Churches.