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!
DeleteNational televised celebration from 7am this morning. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jEirlFocbWo Sweden has not been catholic since 1526-ish and this tradition, only some hundred years old or so, is more pagan+light bringer+star of Bethlehem. Don’t request logic.
DeleteBut cover your head with a wet hanky before putting the candle crown on and then walk serenely. Easypeasy.
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
ReplyDeletePerhaps they've been replaced by LED nowadays
DeleteThe legend of St Lucia is horrific, but the enactment of her day is very sweet.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a lovely tradition
DeleteThanks again for an interesting post. Catriona
ReplyDeleteThank you - haven't done a Saints Day post for a while.
DeleteA Swedish friend used to have her three daughters, with flowers not candles, on their heads, bring in her breakfast coffee in St Lucia's day! American updating of the tradition.
ReplyDeleteMuch safer
DeleteAm I in spam again??
ReplyDeleteYou were, along with half a dozen others that had already once been published dating back to early November
DeleteFriends of mine years ago who came from Sweden followed this practice. It was very interesting to watch. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It's interesting to read about traditions from other countries
DeleteMy Swedish friend celebrates Dec. 13. Her young daughters wear white long dresses with crowns (no candles) and they bake and serve saffron rolls and ginger cookies. It's a nice tradition.
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear the traditions continue
DeleteSaffron buns and gingerbread are essential for a Lucia fika.
DeleteI was a nanny to young family from Sweden for 12 years and when the children were young they would observe St Lucia - I always thought it was charming. The real St Lucia story is just awful; definitely not for children!
ReplyDeleteSaints had a rough time! lovely to hear many people carrying on with a tradition.
DeleteOh gosh, who would be a saint!! People were as bad back in the day as they are to each other now. I'm glad I'm not Swedish being the eldest daughter of the family, I've never fancied accidentally setting fire to my hair.
ReplyDeleteHmm...what a cheery little story about St. Lucy. I passed it on to my granddaughter who is named Lucy. We are Swedish American, so the Lucia tradition is still strong in our Minnesota culture.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of St. Lucy. A tad gruesome, isn't it!
ReplyDeleteHow grim!! Our local choirs get together at Christmas and put on a lovely Carol Festival. They always have the St Lucia song with a child with a candle crown. Fortunately for the last few yrs it has been battery operated candles. I'm going tomorrow and now I know the nasty side of the story I think I might have to close my eyes and plug my ears.
ReplyDeleteYikes! Not a happy story, interesting though!
ReplyDelete