ABOUT SAINT LUCY Lucia of Syracuse (283–304), also known as Saint Lucy  was a young Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution. Her feast day, known as Saint Lucy's Day, is celebrated in the West on 13th December. St. Lucia of Syracuse was honored in the Middle Ages and remained a well-known saint in early modern England.

SAINT LUCY 13.12. Mia Pivčević Marija Karninčić

THE LEGEND Lucy’s mother became very ill from a bleeding problem. She had tried many treatments, but failed. Lucy then asked her mother to accompany her to Saint Agatha’s shrine where they both prayed all night. Due to exhaustion, they both fell asleep near St. Agatha’s tomb. St. Agatha had appeared to Lucy in a dream and gave her the good news that her mother was healed. Saint Agatha further informed Lucy that she will be the glory of Syracuse – the city where Saint Lucy lived. The Pagan man who proposed to Lucy was furious when he heard the news. He decided to destroy Lucy’s life denouncing her as a Christian to the Governor of Syracuse, Sicily.

When the soldiers came to take her, Lucy was so filled with the Holy Spirit that she could not be moved. They claimed that she was heavier than a mountain. When the Governor questioned her as to how she could stay strong, she claimed that it was the power of Jesus her Lord and God. Finally they tortured Lucy to death and she died as a martyr. There are two legendary stories about St Lucy’s eyes. As Lucy had beautiful eyes, the Pagan man who proposed to Lucy, wanted Lucy’s eyes. One story tells us that Lucy gifted her eyes to the Pagan man, and asked him to leave her alone. The second story tells us that during the torture, Lucy’s eyes were taken out and that God had restored her eyes back.

TRADITIONS Night before Saint Lucy’s day kids leave their socks in their room. If they behaved themselves through the year they get candies and fruit form Saint Lucy. On Saint Lucy’s day whole family plant the wheat. In Split people open Saint Lucy’s crypt and come to pray there.

FAVORITE MEMORY Our favorite memory was waking up early in the morning and looking for the gifts that Saint Lucy had left us wile we were sleeping. We were excited to plant the wheat with our families. We would go to Saint Lucy’s church together and say the prayer in honor of Saint Lucy.