The legend of Santa Lucia begins with a pilgrimage from Syracuse – her hometown – to Catania, together with her mother Eutichia, to pray at the tomb of Sant'Agata and ask God for the grace of healing her seriously ill mother.
During the prayer, Agata appears to Lucia, calls her "sister" and predicts her future martyrdom.
Back home, with her mother now healed, Lucia made a courageous and unusual decision for the time:
- Cancel the wedding already planned by the parents.
- She gave her rich dowry to the needy.
- He dedicates himself to works of mercy.
This gesture provoked the wrath of her betrothed, who reported her to the Roman court on charges of being a Christian.
It is 304 AD, and the emperor is Diocletian.
The martyrdom of Santa Lucia
After her arrest, Lucia firmly refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods. For this, she is condemned to be taken to a brothel, but a miraculous event prevents anyone from moving her body.
She was then condemned to the stake, but not even the flames could consume her. Before dying, she declared that she wanted to be a light for those who grope in the darkness of faith.
In the end, she is killed with a sword. It is December 13, the day she is still remembered today.
The history and cult of Santa Lucia
In Roman times, the name Lucina, from which Lucia derives, indicated the goddess who assisted women in labor, the one who brought them to light.
In the Greek world, she was associated with Artemis in her function as a midwife.
In the Middle Ages, the cult of Santa Lucia spread mainly as the patron saint of sight, and it was during this period that the legend of the torn eyes was born, absent in the oldest documents.
From this moment on, Santa Lucia is represented with her eyes on a saucer, making her immediately recognizable.
Other iconographic attributes of the saint are:
- A book, as in the fresco of the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli in Campo di Brenzone.
- A chalice, a sword, a dagger or flames, symbols of his martyrdom.
Saint Lucia in art
The representations of Santa Lucia are numerous and among the most famous we find:
- The Griffin Polyptych by Francesco del Cossa, where Lucia holds a twig with eyes instead of leaves between her fingers.
- Cima da Conegliano, in the Olera Polyptych, depicts her with a lit lamp.
- Caravaggio, with the dramatic and touching Burial of Santa Lucia.
- Paolo Veronese, who depicted her as an elegant figure in the painting The Martyrdom and Communion of St. Lucy, now in the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
The tradition of Santa Lucia in Verona
December 13, the day of Lucia's martyrdom, marks the victory of light over darkness, and is traditionally considered one of the darkest days of the year.
Santa Lucia is particularly revered in Syracuse and Verona, where she is very dear to children.
According to the Veronese tradition, on the night of December 12, Santa Lucia brings gifts and sweets to children.
In Verona, the festivities culminate in the great fair of Piazza Bra, known as "I bancheti de Santa Lussia", a market full of toys, sweets and handicrafts, which animates the city in a festive atmosphere.
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