St. Luke and his cult as holy healer of the Serbs

• Published in: Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo Vol. 132; no. 9-10; pp. 364 - 368
• Main Authors: Mitrovic, Zorica, Markovic, Ljiljana, Nenadovic, Maja
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Serbian; English
• Published: Serbia Serbian Medical Society 01.09.2004
• Subjects: cult; Eastern Orthodoxy - history; Faith Healing - history; History, Ancient; Holy Healers; Humans; Religion and Medicine; Saint Luke; St. Luke; St. Luke's foot; Yugoslavia; Yugoslavia
• ISSN: 0370-8179; 2406-0895
• DOI: 10.2298/SARH0410364M

Most school doctors, who lived in the period of Early Christianity from 1st to 4th century A.D. and who were canonized saints, have been known, up to these days, among people and in scientific and medical circles as Holy Healers. It is understood that only exclusively educated medical experts, trained to heal professionally and prepare medicines are considered Holy Healers. Out of all Holy Healers, St. Kosma and Damian, St. Panteleimon, St. Luke, etc., are highly respected by our people. St. Luke (1st century A.D.) is specially honored by Serbian nation. His relics were taken to Smederevo in 1453 and then the town became "the place of many cures and new healing spot". Out of these relics, only the foot of St. Luke was preserved in a very good condition and it remained in the possession of the Serbian Orthodox Church. In old documents written in old Greek and clerical-slavic language, St. Luke is glorified as "reliable doctor both for soul and body..." St. Luke is respected as a protector of medicine and pharmacy, doctors and pharmacists, and patients, as well as many families (family patron of the Serbs), even of the whole regions. Many chemist's shops and hospitals are named by this Saint, what is the confirmation that his cult and recognition of his personality and his work are still present in our milieu.