Santa Lucia
Santa Lucia: Life and Etymology of the Name
Santa Lucia is a venerated figure by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, celebrated on December 13th. Her memory is honored all over the world, and tradition holds her to be the protector of sight, due to the Latin etymology of her name, derived from "lucis," meaning light. Her remains are preserved in the Sanctuary of Lucia in Venice, while the main place of worship for Santa Lucia is the Church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro in Syracuse.
Hagiography of Santa Lucia
According to the Acts of the Martyrs, written at the end of the fifth century, Lucia was born in Syracusæ in 283 A.D. into a noble and Christian family. After losing her father at the age of five, she was promised in marriage to a pagan but made a vow of chastity since childhood. Lucia's mother, Eutychia, suffered from hemorrhages, and after becoming impossible to cure, mother and daughter went on a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Agatha in Catania, praying for Eutychia's healing. Lucia fell asleep during prayer and had a vision of Saint Agatha surrounded by angels, who told her that the city of Syracuse would be honored for its faith as Catania had been for Agatha's affection. Eutychia's healing was miraculous, and Lucia decided to consecrate her virginity to Christ, donating her property to the poor. She then devoted herself for three years to serving the needy in Syracuse.
The Refusal of Pagan Love
When Lucia's suitor realized that the woman he loved had given all her possessions to the poor, he decided to take revenge by denouncing her as a Christian. At the time, Christians were still being persecuted, and Lucia was subjected to the trial of Prefect Pascasio. She was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods, but she refused and proclaimed phrases from the sacred Scriptures. Threatened with being taken to a brothel, Lucia replied that the body only becomes polluted if the soul consents. The dialogue with Pascasio saw Lucia prevail over the magistrate, and the prefect ordered that the young woman be forced. As the legend goes, however, Lucia became so heavy that she could not be moved, neither by men nor by the force of oxen. Finally accused of witchcraft, she was anointed with oil and tortured with fire, but the flames did not touch her.
Santa Lucia is an important saint for Italian culture, honored with prayers, songs, and delicacies such as cuccìa, a typical Sicilian sweet.
