Monastery of Osios Loukas - St Luke
The Monastery of Osios Loukas (Blessed Luke) or Monastery of St Luke is one of the most important monuments of the Byzantine Era, listed in UNESCO’s World heritage sites.
The monastery of Osios Loukas is the precursor of the last defiant flourish of Byzantine Art that influenced the monasteries in Mystras.
The Monastery of Osios Loukas is located at a scenic site, on the slopes of Helicon Mountain in Boeotia, in close proximity to the town of Distomo. It is located 180 km north-west of Athens, on the way to Arachova and Delphi.
The site is as impressive as the monastery itself. The setting is exquisite, because the monastery is practically hidden by arrays of trees along the approach to the site, and its shady terrace appears almost all of a sudden opening up to the sweep of the Helicon peaks.
Ten monks live today at the Monastery of St Luke, which is though maintained basically as a museum and pilgrimage site.
St Luke the hermit
Founded in the 10th century by a hermit called St Luke, the Monastery is dedicated to this local saint known for his charitable work and miraculous powers. The Monastery of St Luke managed to increase its power and influence, collecting an impressive wealth of artifacts, and land, becoming one of the most important monastic sites in the Orthodox World.
The hermit Luke stayed in history for having predicted the conquest of the island of Crete by the Emperor Romanos. Although the historical events proved him partially correct, his fame as a miracle worker was increasing gradually.
When the hermit died his relics remained inside the monastery at the katholikon (main) church, enhancing the fame of the monastery and its appeal to the popular culture. It was said that the relics exuded Myron, a perfumed oil with special healing abilities.
Numerous pilgrims have been visiting the area, hoping to be healed by the miraculous abilities of the oil and the relics. Even today, when visiting the monastery you will see pilgrims sleeping by the tomb of Blessed Luke thinking that they will be healed by incubation.
The Church of Our Lady and the Church of St Luke
The main church of the monastery is the Church of St Luke and you will see the tomb of Blessed Luke in it. Blessed Luke (St. Luke) was originally buried under his cell. Not long afterwards, his relics were moved to a cruciform house of prayer and in 1011 the main church of the monastery, as we know it today, was finished and ready to serve as a regular tomb.
The katholikon – main church – is the perfect example of an octagonal church, following the Epirus- style architecture, that allows the wide dome to be filled with natural light. The nave is covered by a broad dome unifying the interior and giving a spacious feel.
Next to the Church of Blessed Luke is the Church of Our Lady, the earliest surviving example of the cross in square type of church with a dome borne on four columns. The mosaics and frescoes on the walls and the given emphasis to schematization make the complex of the monastery stand out from other sacred areas in mainland of Greece.
Visit the Monastery of St Luke
Visit the Monastery of St Luke (Osios Loukas) with our Delphi tour, a full-day private tour by taxi from Athens to the Monastery of St Loukas, Arachova and Delphi.