Saint Lucy of Syracuse, Italy

Daughter of Greek Mother Eutychia

AD 283-304

Born: Syracuse, Sicily

Survived: temple prostitution and death by fire

Died: Syracuse, Sicily by neck piercing, and gouging of eyes after death

Patron Saint of sight for the blind, and Syracuse, Sicily

At a time when men counted on their sustainability through a woman’s position in society and where a woman had no rights unless guarded by a man’s control Saint Lucy felt she was the exception to that rule. Through a miraculous healing of her mother St. Lucy negotiated her dowry to be given to the poor because of her role as her mother’s intercessor and because of her vow of virginity to the Lord. However, the Governor of Syracuse, who had been promised Lucy’s hand in marriage, did not accept this rejection. The betrothed was livid about this arrangement and Set out a plan of revenge.

Surrounded by the engraved panels of the lemon trees, citrus represents the fruitful nature of Lucy’s wealth and power not only of her life on earth but the life that was to come. Within Lucy’s dress is the wild fennel flower, that can be found in the region of Syracuse in which she lived, it is delicately applied to the sunny polka dots that are scattered among her crimson apron highlighting the rich colors of the Sicilian flag.

A brave servant, who served the needs of others, St.Lucy ignored the threats of a man who was lead by greed. His intimidation could not coerce her to reject her faith nor her values. A tenacious woman by today’s standards she is still revered by those in all corners of the globe.