February: Day 7:
Venerable Luke of Greece
(On the Grave Sin of Children's Disrespect for Their Parents)
By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko
Venerable Luke of Greece
(On the Grave Sin of Children's Disrespect for Their Parents)
By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko
I. Venerable Luke, whose memory is celebrated today, was born in Hellas to poor farmers, shepherded sheep and worked the land. Even in his youth he was distinguished by extraordinary piety: he was modest, silent, ate little food, he loved to help the poor, often gave them food taken from home for himself, and himself remained hungry. After the death of his father, he secretly went to a monastery. The mother grieved greatly for her son and prayed to God for his return. And what happened? A woman appeared to the abbot of the monastery where Luke labored in a dream more than once and reproachfully said: “Why do you offend me, a poor widow? Return to me, my only son, whom you took, the consolation of my old age, otherwise I will not cease to cry out to God.” The dream was repeated on the second and third night. Then the abbot realized that this dream was an inspiration from God, called Luke to him and began to say to him: “How dare you deceive us? You assured that you have no parents, and yet your mother has been reproaching me for the third night? Return to your mother without delay.” Luke silently bowed to the abbot, said goodbye to the brethren, and went to his mother. Great was the mother’s joy! She thanked God, and then warmly embraced her son. Luke stayed with his mother for four months and, wishing to leave again, began to ask his mother’s permission. His mother blessed him and let him go.
