Saint Luke the Stylite lived during the reign of the Greek Emperor Romanus and Constantine Porphyrogenitus. At that time, the Bulgarians attacked the Greek Empire, and Luke, by the royal command, participated in the defense of his homeland. During the battle, he remained unharmed. After this, he embraced monasticism and, excelling in the monastic life, was ordained as a presbyter. Zealous for spiritual perfection, he bound his body with iron chains and ascended a pillar, observing strict abstinence, eating only on the seventh day. He spent three years on the pillar, then, called by divine inspiration, went to Mount Olympus, and later to Constantinople, where he placed a stone in his mouth to not break his vow of silence. Retreating to the city of Chalcedon, he also ascended a pillar and, glorified by miracles, spent forty-five years on it. Saint Luke departed to the abode of the Heavenly Father around the year 970.
