September 7, 2017

Saint Luke of Lycaonia, Abbot of Vatheos Ryakos Monastery

St. Luke of Lycaonia (Feast Day - September 7);
Pictured are ruins of Vatheos Ryakos Monastery

Verses

You were a model of every virtue Luke,
You distanced yourself from every earthly attachment.


Our Holy Father Luke was the third abbot of Vatheos Ryakos Monastery. The first abbot and founder was Saint Basil (July 1), and the second abbot was Peter (Sept. 7). He reposed in the late tenth century.


Vatheos Ryakos Monastery

The Monastery of Vatheos Ryakos (otherwise spelled as Batheos Rhyakos and translated as Monastery of the Deep Stream) is also known as the Monastery of the Transfiguration of Christ the Savior, though commonly known as Soteros or Savior Monastery (Turkish: Aya Sotiri Manastırı). It is near modern Tirilye in Turkey (medieval Trigleia in Bithynia). The complex now lies ruined, although some buildings are used by locals as animal shelters.