Today is St Lucy's or St Lucia's day.
This is an illustration from the book of Saints. The details about it says Master of The Deposition from the Cross of Figdor, The Legend of St Lucy (detail), Rijkmuseum, Amsterdam.
The book explains that Lucy wanted to remain single to dedicate her life to Christ but her suitor wanted revenge and accused Lucy of being Christian before the pagan governor of Syracuse, Sicily. The judge ordered her to be thrown into a brothel. Then the guards were told to set fire to her but this failed to kill her. Legends say that to make herself ugly she tore out her own eyes, which were then miraculously restored. After which she became renown for healing diseases of the eyes and the patron saint for the blind.
Finally she was killed by a sword-thrust through her throat.
An early authority for the genuineness of her story is an inscription to her discovered in the cemetery of St John in Syracuse.
Before the calendar reform of 1752 her feast day coincided with the solstice so she came to be regarded as the bringer of light as the days begin to lengthen. That is the reason she became especially celebrated in Sweden where the eldest daughter of the family puts on her head a wreath with seven lightened candles (health and safety nightmare!) then takes coffee and ginger snaps to the rest of the family.
You couldn’t make it up could you. Serving coffee and ginger biscuits in a ‘flaming’ tiara😊
ReplyDeleteI’m really enjoying your December posts Sue.
It is a terrifying thought! I still remember the smell of singed blonde tresses from the year when a girl twirled round at a carol service and her hair got caught in the flame of the candle!
DeleteThe Christingle services that the local church and playgroup organised when we lived in Bacton back in the 80's were also a bit of a worry with the candles in the orange and lots of small children!
Deleteand thank you Cathy for your kind words about the December posts
DeleteEnjoying the Swedish Lucia-morning right now. A fundamental Scandi-tradition.
ReplyDeletePlease tell us more!
DeleteThis reminds me of Saint Lucia, possibly the same saint, must check. Agree, health and safety would have a pink fit!
ReplyDeleteYes, both the same - St Lucia in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries
DeleteGosh candles and hair don't work in my book. Very interesting post. We need some candle light today, so grey and dull. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteThanks again for an interesting post. Catriona
ReplyDelete