Saint Lucia Day

Sankta LuciaThe Feast of Saint Lucia is a traditional Swedish tradition. No other country celebrates this holiday so widely. It is named after the Italian martyr Lucia, who died in 304 in Syracuse, Sicily. But otherwise, the Swedish Lucia has little in common with the Italian martyr.

It is commonly said that the night of St. Lucia’s Day is the longest night of the year. This was the case when the Julian calendar was used in Sweden. In the XV century, December 13 was the day of the winter solstice. When Sweden switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1753, the winter solstice was moved to December 21, the night of St. Lucia retained its meaning of the longest and darkest night, a time of rampant forces of evil.

In Sweden, on the night of St. Lucia today are arranged rampant holidays. It's a medieval legacy. In the medieval church, the rules of fasting during Advent (the time of preparation for Christmas from Latin). “Adventus Domini” was very gentle, and strict fasting did not begin until after Lucia. Therefore, on the day of St. Lucia, they drank and ate a lot. According to some reports, Lucia ate seven breakfasts before sunrise. Then the Christmas fast began.

Swedish Lucia has many prototypes. One of them is the German "Christkindlein" - a little girl dressed as an angel handing out gifts. This girl is often depicted in a wreath with candles. Once in the XVII century, a girl with candles in her hair came from Germany to Swedish estates.

The earliest Swedish documentary evidence of Lucia dates back to 1764. An old priest, recalling his years of study, told of how one morning on St. John’s Day. Lucia was awakened by an angel-like creature who gave him salad and vodka.

The Royal School Order of 1724 stipulated that winter holidays should begin on St. Lucia Day. On this day, students dress in white and sing Christmas songs for their professors. Some of the students dressed as an angel; this angel is also the prototype of the Swedish Lucia.

The feast of Saint Lucia acquired its present form only in the twentieth century. Today Lucia wears a long white dress with a red silk belt, on her head is a crown with five candles. Lucia is accompanied by a retinue of girls and star boys. Lucia treats everyone to coffee and special buns with saffron, which are called "lussecatter". The holiday of Lucia is celebrated everywhere: in schools, kindergartens, organizations. At home, children also celebrate and congratulate their neighbors. On Lucia Day, groups of children visit hospitals and nursing homes and sing Advent and Christmas songs. The repertoire always includes the song of Lucia, whose words were written in Sweden to the tune of the Neapolitan folk song Santa Lucia.