On December 13, Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran Church and Anglican Church venerates St. Lucy.
In Forlì this day is also celebrated as the beautiful girl's festival and nougat is offered to them .
Moreover, those who want can ask for eye's blessing.
This tradition comes from St. Lucy's history.
Her acta sanctus tells that Lucy was a Christian while Diocletian was persecuting and martyring Christians.
She consecrated her virginity to God, refused to marry a pagan, and had her dowry distributed to the poor.
Her would-be husband denounced her as a Christian to the governor of Syracuse.
Miraculously unable to move her or burn her, the guards stabbed her and killed her.
The oldest record of her story comes from the fifth-century accounts of saints' lives .
By the sixth century, her story was widespread. St. Aldhelm wrote an account of her life, and the Venerable Bede included her story in his Martyrology.
In medieval accounts, St. Lucy's eyes are gouged out prior to her execution.
In art, her eyes sometimes appear on a plate that she's holding.
In Forlì from 7.30 a.m to 8.00 p.m some market stalls offer candies, sweets, toys and typical Romagna's food and dessert to visitors.
For more info click here www.comune.forli.fo.it or call 0543/ 375702
Courtesy of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucy
Picture courtesy of: www.en.wikipedia.org
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