Holy Martyr Lucy (+304)
The holy Martyr Lucy lived in the city of Syracuse, on the island of Sicily near Italy. Once she went with her sick mother Eutychia to the city of Catania to venerate the relics of the holy Martyr Agatha. During the service the presbyter read at the blessed martyr’s shrine the Gospel about the woman who touched the hem of the Saviour’s garment with faith and was healed. Lucy said to Eutychia: “Mother, if you believe what is being read, believe also that Agatha, who died for the name of Christ, stands before Him today in heaven. Touch her tomb with faith, and you will be healed.”
After the service had ended, mother and daughter prayed for a long time before the martyr’s shrine. At last Lucy dozed off. In a vision in her sleep Saint Agatha, surrounded by angels, stood before her and said to her: “My sister Lucy, bride of God! Your faith has helped your mother, and she is already healed. And as the city of Catania has been glorified through me, so shall Syracuse be glorified through you, for by your purity you have prepared a fair vessel for Christ!”
After this Lucy dedicated herself entirely to the Lord; although already betrothed, she refused to marry, and persuaded her mother to distribute all their property to the poor.
The bridegroom rejected by the holy maiden was greatly offended and denounced the blessed one to the head of the city, saying that she confessed Christ. At that time the empire was ruled by Maximian and Diocletian (284–305), and the Christians were cruelly persecuted. Lucy too was summoned before the tribunal. The governor ordered the blessed one to be tortured. The Lord willed to glorify His chosen one by a miracle: when they made to lead Lucy away for punishment, her body became so heavy that many of the lawless tried in vain to move her from the spot. Then they tied the saint with ropes to several pairs of oxen, but she still stood firm and preached Christ to the people. Then the head of the city ordered a fire to be lit around the martyr. Even now Lucy did not move. Without flinching she said to the tormentor: “I besought the Lord Jesus Christ that the fire should have no power over me. I asked that my sufferings be prolonged, so as to deliver the faithful from fear of torments, and not to give the lawless leave to revile the Christians.”
Then one of the pagans thrust a sword into the holy martyr’s throat, but she, strengthened by Christ, went on speaking to the people, foretold the end of the persecution of the Christians, and promised the people of Syracuse that she would be the protectress of their city.
The martyr’s holy body was buried at the very place of her martyrdom. Afterwards a church of the Holy Trinity was built there.
