St. Lucia Observance, 2008

Nick Maas kindly shared these photographs taken by Katherine Alderson of the St. Lucia observation on December 28. Nick also provided the following information:

St. Lucia (Lucy) was an early martyr for the faith who lived in what is today Sicily. All Saint's observance of this holy martyr includes a blessing in the church of the traditional dishes of cuccia (a type of kolivo made in Sicily to commemorate St. Lucia), Lucy Cat buns, and St. Lucy ring cake. The observance continues in the parish hall after Divine Liturgy with a reading of the life of St. Lucia, singing a traditional song, and glasses of warm spiced wine called glogg.

The child portraying St. Lucia wears a lighted crown to symbolize martyrdom, a white dress to symbolize purity, and a red sash to also represent martyrdom. Her attendants are similarly attired, less the crown.

More information about St. Lucy and this observance can be found on the downloads page of the library website.