MOSCOW, November 1 (RIA Novosti, Ivan Korzun)...

Luke, a doctor born in Syrian Antioch, was from among the seventy apostles Jesus Christ specially chose in addition to his twelve closest disciples to preach the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke is known as the founder of Christian iconography. The first icon he wrote depicted the Mother of God. He also painted icons of his companion St. Paul and of St. Peter.

After the martyrdom of Peter and Paul, St. Luke left Rome and preached in Achaia, Libya, Egypt and Thebaid before accepting a martyr"s death in the city of Thebes.

St. Luke is also venerated by Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans. He is the patron saint of physicians and surgeons.