A few days ago an online petition started in Bergamo to make the day of Saint Lucia, so much is this day felt. This year falls on a Monday, but the important moment is the night before, the one in which the gifts arrive. It was said and still is said, even if the calendar says otherwise, that Lucia is there Holy of light the one that lights up the winter after the longest night there is. Lucia is the patron saint of Syracuse, among others, of eyes, ophthalmologists, the blind and electricians. It is celebrated on 13 December because, in 304, on this day his martyrdom took place.
Lucia
She was a young woman from a rich family, fatherless. Praying Weather in Sant’Agata for the health of her mother she had a vision of the saint who replied: “Why do you ask me what you can get by yourself?” The girl decided to consecrate herself to the Lord after her maternal healing and destined all her patrimony to the poor. Her betrothed denounced her as a Christian. It was then prosecuted under the edicts of the Emperor Diocletian. She was threatened with being exposed among prostitutes, but her body became so heavy that she could not be moved. She spent a night with the soldiers and was subjected to various torments, in the end she was beheaded.
want
Santa Lucia, like Santa Claus, brings gifts. In some regions of Northern Italy there is the tradition of letter written to the Santa to receive gifts. The little ones must go to bed early and leave some food for Saint Lucia and hay for the donkey who drives her cart.
After her death, according to legend, the Saint was authorized to return to Earth to bring joy to the children on the night of 13 December. More likely it was the Emperor Constantine, bringing Christianity to the Roman Empire, who chose the day of Lucia’s martyrdom as the one in which it was celebrated instead of the pagan winter solstice.
The longest day there is
That of San Lucia is not the longest night there is, although the rhyme is very good. Before the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1500, it was close to the winter solstice, but with the new calendar there is a difference of just over a week. We have to wait until the 21st, this year for the night with the longest duration of the year, the night of winter solstice.
The light
Many rites still in vogue today are related to light. In Sweden, tradition has it that the eldest daughter wears a white dress and a red belt and a crown of leaves and seven candles on her head. She is the one who wakes the family by bringing the cookies prepared the day before.
The ancient goddess who connects with Lucia is Artemide, to which the Syracusan island of Ortigia was consecrated. They are both virgins and Artemis is also remembered as the goddess of light. There is also an affinity with Demeter, goddess of the fields. Legend has it that the night before December 13, the Saint flies over the fields with a crown of light to restore fertility.
Saint Lucia is usually portrayed with a saucer on which her eyes rest. However, there is no foundation for the episode of the saint tearing her eyes out. The fact that she is the patron saint of sight is linked to the name Lucia, from lux, light, in Latin.
Other stories of Vanity Fair that may interest you:
– Santa Lucia: the magical rites of love and luck
– When do we stop believing in Santa Claus?
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