The story says there was a young woman Lucia in Syracusa on Sicilia who suffered the death of martyr in 304 a. c. Her crime was to give her dowry to the poor people and to be Christian. That was forbidden in Italy. Her fiancé become very mad about it and reported Lucia to the prefect who declared her being guilty. She became sentenced to die by being burnt at the stake. The fire did not harm her. Therefore she was executed by sword. Lucia was canonized later to a catholic saint. The mortal remains were brought to Venice during the fourth crusade where she is still. Earlier Sweden was a catholic country.

Lucia was celebrated on the 13th of December that was on a night when supernatural and evil things were active. Remember that Sweden got old traditions since the Vikings. The church could not change that. The people continued to keep their old traditions on the day of Lucia’s death by gormandizing and drinking alcohol in the Viking manner. In 1764 St Lucia was honored in a very different way for the first time. A student of theology believed he had come to Paradise when he was wakens up early in the morning while visiting an estate. A woman in white dress and red ribbon symbolizing her blood, round her waist walked in. She wore light on her head and her hands. Her companion brought in food and drinking while singing Christmas carols.

In 1927 the first official Lucia was choose in Stockholm. Since then the Lucia celebration became very popular. Everywhere at official places as working places, schools and hospitals there is a Lucia with maidens singing with candles in their hands. The St Lucia carol is originally a traditional tune from Napoli. The Swedish Lucia tradition is truly a great mix of manners, customs and religion that are changed through the time and dates back to old heathen ages.

Lucia is a catholic Saint but not much honored in the catholic countries. Instead she has become the queen of light in a protestant country. 

~Maikki      The modern St Lucia