The Church commemorates Saint Luke of Crimea
The saint and surgeon served in the land of Crimea and endured Soviet persecution, remaining faithful to Christ.
On June 11, 2025, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church commemorates the feast day of Saint Luke (Voyno-Yasenetsky), Archbishop of Simferopol and Crimea – a renowned surgeon and confessor of the faith.
Saint Luke, born Valentin Felixovich Voyno-Yasenetsky (1877–1961), is one of the most venerated saints among Ukrainian Orthodox believers. A brilliant surgeon and archbishop, he served for many years in Crimea, uniting profound Christian faith with outstanding achievements in medicine. As a professor of surgery, he developed innovative methods for treating purulent infections and for field surgery. His contributions to medicine were so exceptional that, despite the persecution of the Church, he was awarded the Stalin Prize.
In spite of the brutal repression by the Soviet authorities, Saint Luke never ceased his ministry in the Church. He was arrested and spent a total of 11 years in exile and labor camps, yet continued to celebrate divine services and treat the sick wherever he was able. His steadfastness in faith became a true example of Christian confession.
Believers especially pray to him for healing from illnesses and for wisdom for doctors. Saint Luke is particularly venerated in Greece, where he is regarded as the patron saint of physicians and surgeons. Greek Orthodox faithful regularly make pilgrimages to his relics and dedicate churches in his honor.
The relics of Saint Luke rest in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Simferopol.
Saint Luke was canonized in the year 2000 among the saints and confessors. His life stands as a shining example of how service to God can be united with service to humanity through medicine and science – all while remaining faithful to the Orthodox tradition.
Earlier, the UOJ published a detailed analysis of why Saint Luke is so deeply loved and venerated by the faithful.
