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Lucy was born of rich and noble parents in Syracuse late in the third century. After her father's death, Lucy was raised by her widowed mother, Eutychia, who was noted for her piety. She brought her daughter up to have the same devotion.
There are conflicting accounts of the end of Lucy's short life. One is that Lucy secretly dedicated herself to a life of serving Christ and to give her own share of their fortune to the poor. Eutychia, however, had arranged for Lucy's marriage to a local man. After being cured of a long illness at St. Agatha's tomb, Lucy's mother was grateful for being healed and allowed Lucy to pursue a life with Christ. The young man was angered and turned over Lucy to the governor of Sicily. This was in the heart of Diocletian's persecution of Christians.
A judge ordered that Lucy be sold into slavery. Soldiers came to take her away, but no matter how hard they tried, Lucy could not be moved. The soldiers poured oil on her head and set her on fire to try to make her move, but her body was not burned. They demanded to know why she was not harmed, and she replied that the power of the Lord Jesus Christ protected her. Finally, they stabbed her in the throat with a sword and she died.
Lucy was one of countless Christians killed in Diocletian's ruthless persecution. Word of Lucy's willingness to defend her faith in spite of torture and death spread throughout the church. She was shown great veneration by the early church and was one of the most illustrious virgin martyrs honored in Rome during the sixth century.
Lucy is often shown holding a dish with two eyes on it. This refers to another legend in which Lucy's eyes were put out by Diocletian as part of his torture before killing her. The legend concludes with God restoring Lucy's eyes. Another legend is that she tore out her own eyes to discourage a suitor who admired them. For this reason, Lucy is the patron saint of the blind and those with eye trouble.
Lucy is especially revered in Scandinavia where the daylight is very scant during December. On December 13, Lucy's feast day, Scandinavians celebrate the beginning of the Christmas holidays by bringing light into the dark with candles and food. This custom symbolizes the approaching light of Christ in Advent.
In Sweden, the youngest daughter in celebrating households, dressed in white, wearing a crown of lit candles, wakes the rest of the family with coffee, rolls, and a special song.
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