Saint Lucy Biography

(Saint)

Born: 283

Born In: Syracuse, Roman Empire

Saint Lucy, also known as Lucia of Syracuse, or Saint Lucia (Sancta Lucia in Latin), was a Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution of the 4th century. Apocryphal texts suggest that Lucy, who hailed from an affluent Sicilian family, had spurned the marriage proposal of a pagan man and had vowed to remain a virgin according to the tradition of St. Agatha. However, in the process, she had angered the suitor, who reported her to the Roman authorities. Lucy was then tortured to death. She is revered as a saint by the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Orthodox Churches. She is one of the eight women, along with the Virgin Mary, who are commemorated by name in the ‘Canon of the Mass.’ Saint Lucy's Day, her feast day, is celebrated on December 13 every year. She is the patron saint of Syracuse (Sicily), virgins, and sight.
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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Lucia of Syracuse, Saint Lucia

Died At Age: 21

Born Country: Italy

Spiritual & Religious Leaders Italian Women

Died on: 304

place of death: Syracuse, Western Roman Empire

  • 1

    What is the significance of Saint Lucy's feast day?

    Saint Lucy's feast day is celebrated on December 13th and is significant as she is the patron saint of the blind and those with eye disorders.
  • 2

    Why is Saint Lucy often depicted with a plate of eyes?

    Saint Lucy is often depicted with a plate of eyes because of the legend that her eyes were gouged out before her martyrdom.
  • 3

    What is the story behind Saint Lucy's martyrdom?

    Saint Lucy was martyred during the Roman persecution for her Christian faith and refusal to marry a pagan suitor. She was sentenced to be burned, but the flames miraculously did not harm her.
  • 4

    What is the connection between Saint Lucy and light?

    Saint Lucy's name means "light" in Latin, and she is often associated with light and vision due to her role as the patron saint of the blind.
  • 5

    How is Saint Lucy venerated in different parts of the world?

    Saint Lucy is venerated in various ways around the world, including with processions, lighting candles, and baking special pastries in her honor.
Early Life
It is believed that Lucy was born in the year 283, into an affluent Sicilian family. Her father was of Roman descent and died when Lucy was 5 years old. Her mother's name was Eutychia, which suggests that she was of Greek ancestry.
Though left without a father at a tender age, Lucy had inherited a huge dowry. Lucy’s mother wanted Lucy to get married to a rich pagan man.
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Legends about Her Early Life
It is believed that since Lucy was a pious Christian, did not wish to marry a pagan man. She also asked her mother to distribute her dowry among the poor. However, her mother did not do so initially.
As a teenager, Lucy was already committed to a life of celibacy and service to God. Her primary aim was to help the poor.
In addition, she assisted other Catholics hide in the underground catacombs to help them avoid being persecuted. It is believed she would wear a wreath made of candles on her head to find her way through the dark tunnels, as her hands would be full of food and supplies for the people.
Once, Lucy’s mother fell extremely sick due to a bleeding problem. She tried many treatments but none helped. Following this, Lucy asked her mother to visit Saint Agatha’s shrine with her. They both prayed all night at the shrine. However, exhausted, they soon fell asleep at the tomb.
St. Agatha then appeared to Lucy in a dream and told her that her mother had been healed. Saint Agatha also informed Lucy that she would be the pride of Syracuse, where she lived. Lucy’s mother recovered and then distributed their wealth among the poor, on Lucy’s request.
Legends about Her Persecution
The Pagan man who had proposed to Lucy was furious when he heard that Lucy was not only committed to being a virgin but had also given away her dowry to the needy. As his revenge, he reported about Lucy’s faith to Paschasius, the governor of Syracuse, Sicily.
Back then, many Christians were being persecuted for their faith. The governor thus sent his guards to take Lucy away and send her to a brothel, as punishment.
However, when the soldiers came to take her away, they could not move Lucy. When the governor enquired about the reason behind her strength, she claimed it was a result of divine intervention
Finally, they tortured Lucy and wished to burn her to death. The guards gathered wood around her, but even this plan failed, as the wood did not burn. Thus, they pierced her neck with a sword. Lucy thus became a martyr in the year 304.
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According to legends, Lucy had captivating eyes, and the pagan man who had proposed to her loved her eyes.
One version of her story suggests that Lucy had presented her eyes to the pagan man, and had then asked him to leave her alone.
Another version of the story suggests that while being tortured, Lucy had warned Paschasius that he would not go unpunished. On hearing this, an angry Paschasius ordered the guards to gouge her eyes out. However, the story also suggests that God had restored her eyes later.
Though most of her life appears only in legends, it is believed Lucy had most probably died due to the wave of persecution of Christians during Roman emperor Diocletian’s reign. She has been mentioned in early Roman sacramentaries. Her name also appears in an inscription in Syracuse, dating back to 400 C.E. Her early existence can be evidenced by two churches dedicated to her in Britain prior to the 8th century, when the kingdom was mostly pagan.
After Death
Legends claim that when her body was being prepared for burial, it was found out that her eyes had been restored.
Sigebert, who was a monk of Gembloux, had written ‘sermo de Sancta Lucia,’ which stated that Lucy's body had remained undisturbed in Sicily for 400 years, until Faroald II, Duke of Spoleto, conquered the island and sent her remains to Abruzzo, Italy.
The remains were later moved to Metz by Emperor Otho I in 972. They were left in the ‘Church of St. Vincent.’
Not much is known about the whereabouts of her body after it was moved to ‘St. Vincent.’ However, claims suggest that pieces of her body can still be found in Italy (Rome, Naples, Lisbon, Verona, and Milan), Germany, Sweden, and France.
Facts About Saint Lucy
Saint Lucy is the patron saint of the blind, as she is said to have miraculously restored her own sight after losing it.
Legend has it that Saint Lucy plucked out her own eyes in a sacrificial act of devotion to her faith.
Saint Lucy's feast day is celebrated on December 13th, which coincides with the winter solstice, symbolizing the return of light and hope.
In many Scandinavian countries, Saint Lucy's Day is celebrated with processions of young girls wearing crowns of candles, symbolizing her role as a bringer of light.
Saint Lucy is often depicted in art holding a plate with her eyes on it, symbolizing her unwavering faith and sacrifice.

How To Cite

Article Title
- Saint Lucy Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/saint-lucy-38906.php

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