What is Santa Lucia and why is it celebrated?
What is Santa Lucia and why is it celebrated?
Every year, people across Italy celebrate the feast day of Santa Lucia, the patron saint of the blind and her hometown of Siracusa, Sicilia, on December 13. Thus, Santa Lucia is venerated as the patron saint of the blind across the world. Perhaps not coincidentally, Lucia translates to “light” in Latin.
What is Santa Lucia known for?
Lucy, Italian Santa Lucia, (died 304, Syracuse, Sicily; feast day December 13), virgin and martyr who was one of the earliest Christian saints to achieve popularity, having a widespread following before the 5th century. She is the patron saint of the city of Syracuse (Sicily) and of virgins.
What is the story of Santa Lucia?
Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy) is a Catholic saint who was born in Syracuse, Sicily, in 283 AD and was martyred at the age of 20. When Lucia refused, the angry suitor reported her to Roman authorities, and Lucia subsequently was sentenced to life in a brothel and forced into prostitution.
What did Saint Lucy do to become a saint?
The grisly story of Saint Lucy, a virgin martyr from Syracuse, whose death at the hands of the Romans resulted in her becoming the patron saint of the blind.
What happens on Santa Lucia day?
Families observe St. Lucia’s Day in their homes by having one of their daughters (traditionally the eldest) dress in white and serve coffee and baked goods, such as saffron bread (lussekatter) and ginger biscuits, to the other members of the family. These traditional foods are also given to visitors during the day.
Why do Sweden celebrate St Lucia?
Alongside Midsummer, the Lucia celebrations represent one of the foremost cultural traditions in Sweden, with their clear reference to life in the peasant communities of old: darkness and light, cold and warmth. Lucia is an ancient mythical figure with an abiding role as a bearer of light in the dark Swedish winters.
Who celebrates Santa Lucia?
Lucia’s Day, festival of lights celebrated in Sweden, Norway, and the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland on December 13 in honour of St. Lucia (St. Lucy).
What is Santa Lucia holding?
Lucy is frequently shown holding her eyes on a golden plate. Lucy was represented in Gothic art holding a dish with two eyes on it. She also holds the palm branch, symbol of martyrdom and victory over evil. Other symbolic images include a lamp, dagger, or two oxen.
Why does St Lucia have candles on her head?
St. Lucia’s Day is an important holiday celebrating light during the long, dark winter—especially in Scandinavia, where some regions may see only a few hours of daylight. Lucia took food to persecuted Christians in hiding, wearing candles on her head to light her way so she could have both hands free.
Why did St Lucy lose her eyes?
According to later accounts, before she died she foretold the punishment of Paschasius and the speedy end of the persecution, adding that Diocletian would reign no more, and Maximian would meet his end. This so angered Paschasius that he ordered the guards to remove her eyes.
What is St Lucy patron of?
Lucy means light. Saint Lucy, also known as Saint Lucia or Saint Lukia is the patron saint of the blind. Born to rich and noble parents in Syracuse, Sicily, in the year 283 AD she lost her Roman father in infancy. She was raised by her Greek mother, Eutychia, who instilled in her the sense of sharing with the poor.
Where is Lucia buried?
February 19, 2006
Sister Lúcia/Date of burial
