Saint Luke lived during the mid-10th century. He was born near the coast of Constantinople in Asia Minor. His father was named Christopher and his mother Kali. They were pious Christians and they raised Luke with a devotion to Christ. Throughout his youth they read to him the Holy Gospels and early works of his father. Throughout his youth he remained pure and was a virgin.
When the time came he joined the military, and among his peers he encouraged them to stay pure for Christ as he had chosen to. Serving as a solider under the Byzantine ruler Constantine Porphyrogenitos, Saint Luke remained a pious and noble man. A war with the Byzantine empire and the Bulgarians grew, and Luke was sent into battle. Many men were killed and it was only through God’s grace that Luke survived. After this war, he truly dedicated his life to Christ and was tonsured as a monastic. After living the ascetic life for some time and overcoming his passions, he was then ordained a priest. He continued to share the word of Christ and made a mission to preach the word of God to as many as God willed.
Saint Luke still yearned for a deeper sense of spiritually and a closer union to Christ. He then placed chains upon himself to fill him with a weight and he went atop a pillar beaming a stylite.
For three years he stood on the pillar and prayed ceaselessly with little to no food. God’s divine providence revealed to him that he was to go to leave the pillar and travel to Mount Olympus. He remained there some time to grow his asceticism and with hope of gaining deeper spiritual wisdom. From there he went to Constantinople and then resided in Chalcedon, after guiding those along the way, he then ascended to another steel pillar where he built a small wooden room. It was simple in design and served his humble purpose of keeping the water out and allowing him to remain on top. He spent the last 45 years of his life perched on the pillar. He would come down a few times each year and he continued to preach to the people and strengthen their faith. Even from the pillar, he was able to heal the sick and care for those who were troubled. He gave his soul to the Lord with peace.