Saint Lucia’s Day

Saint Lucy's Day, also known as the Feast of Saint Lucy, is a Christian holiday celebrated on December 13th. The holiday honours Lucia of Syracuse, a virgin victim during the Diocletianic Persecution in the early fourth century. According to legend, she provided food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs. She was described to be wearing an illuminated wreath on her head to light her way and free her hands so she could carry as much food as possible. Prior to calendar revisions, her feast day coincided with the shortest day of the year, and it is widely honoured as a festival of light.

Saint Lucy's Day, which falls during the Advent season, is seen as a precursor of Christmastide, referring to the coming of the Light of Christ in the calendar on Christmas Day. As hymns are sung in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and the Swedish-speaking portions of Finland, girls dressed as Saint Lucy carry cookies and saffron buns in procession, symbolizing the bringing of Christ's Light into the world's darkness. Boys join in the parade in both Catholic and Protestant churches, performing various Christmastide roles such as Saint Stephen or generic gingerbread men or nisses. Saint Lucy's Day is considered to assist one live through the winter days with enough light.

Location: Norway

Date: December 13