Confessional Lutheran theology, hagiography, philosophy, music, culture, sports, education,
and whatever else is on the fevered mind of Orycteropus Afer
13 December 2005
+ Lucia, Martyr +
13 December AD 304
Lucia (or Lucy) was one of the victims of the great persecution under the Roman emperor Diocletian. She met her death at Syracuse on the island of Sicily because of her Christian faith.
Different stories are told about her. Some say that she refused to marry and was killed; others say that her husband-to-be was so enraged because she gave the wedding money to a church that he had her killed. Still another version is that her fiance was enraged at her rejection and turned her in to the authorities as a Christian while another account tells us that her eyes were put out in pagan torture and God restored her sight.
Known for her charity, "Santa Lucia" (as she is called in Italy) gave away her dowry and remained a virgin until her execution by the sword. The name Lucia means "light," and, because of that, festivals of light commemorating her became popular throughout Europe, especially in the Scandinavian countries. There her feast day corresponds with the time of year when there is the least amount of daylight.
In artistic expression she is often portrayed in a white baptismal gown, wearing a wreath of candles on her head. In many Nordic homes, one of the women, often the eldest daughter, wakes early on Lucy's feast day, prepares a special breakfast, dons a headpiece of candles, and moves through the home with the special meal in honor of the saint.
Agatha, 5 February AD 290
With Lucy, the Church often also honors the virgin martyr Agatha. She came from Catania in Sicily, and was most likely martyred in the late 200s. Aside from her name on the lists of early martyrs, nothing else is known of her.
Lection
Psalm 65:1-8
Deuteronomy 33:1-3
Revelation 7:2-17
Matthew 5:1-12
Collect
O Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyrs Lucy and Agatha triumphed over suffering and were faithful even unto death, grant us, who now remember them with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with them the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. ¶ 00:01 |
Lucia (or Lucy) was one of the victims of the great persecution under the Roman emperor Diocletian. She met her death at Syracuse on the island of Sicily because of her Christian faith.Different stories are told about her. Some say that she refused to marry and was killed; others say that her husband-to-be was so enraged because she gave the wedding money to a church that he had her killed. Still another version is that her fiance was enraged at her rejection and turned her in to the authorities as a Christian while another account tells us that her eyes were put out in pagan torture and God restored her sight.
Known for her charity, "Santa Lucia" (as she is called in Italy) gave away her dowry and remained a virgin until her execution by the sword. The name Lucia means "light," and, because of that, festivals of light commemorating her became popular throughout Europe, especially in the Scandinavian countries. There her feast day corresponds with the time of year when there is the least amount of daylight.
In artistic expression she is often portrayed in a white baptismal gown, wearing a wreath of candles on her head. In many Nordic homes, one of the women, often the eldest daughter, wakes early on Lucy's feast day, prepares a special breakfast, dons a headpiece of candles, and moves through the home with the special meal in honor of the saint.Agatha, 5 February AD 290
With Lucy, the Church often also honors the virgin martyr Agatha. She came from Catania in Sicily, and was most likely martyred in the late 200s. Aside from her name on the lists of early martyrs, nothing else is known of her.
Lection
Psalm 65:1-8
Deuteronomy 33:1-3
Revelation 7:2-17
Matthew 5:1-12
Collect
O Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyrs Lucy and Agatha triumphed over suffering and were faithful even unto death, grant us, who now remember them with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with them the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. ¶ 00:01 |
