On December 13/26, we celebrate the memory of the Holy Martyr LUCY.
MANY YEARS TO Lucy (Lulu, Ludy Goose) Park!
The name “Lucy” means “light”, with the same root as “lucid” which means “clear, radiant, understandable.”
With her mother, Lucy visited the grave of St. Agatha in Catania, where St. Agatha appeared to her. Her mother, who had dropsy, was then miraculously healed in the church. Lucy distributed all her goods to the poor, and this embittered her betrothed, who accused her of being a Christian before Paschasius the judge. The wicked judge ordered that she be taken to a brothel in order to defile her. However, by the power of God she remained immovable, as if rooted to the earth, and not even a multitude of people was able to move her from that spot. Then an enraged pagan pierced her throat with a sword and she gave up her soul to God and took up her habitation in the Kingdom of Eternity. Lucy suffered in the year 304.
(from the Prologue: http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?day=13&month=December)
From the Service for St Lucy:
Ikos: Waiting for the divine Word to come for her, like the wise virgins Lucy filled the lamp of her soul with oil most rich; for having sold all her property, she bestowed all her substance upon the poor and destitute. Wherefore, feeding the hungry and giving drink to those athirst, clothing the naked and providing shelter for the indigent, she laid up for herself great store of the oil of mercy, wherewith to delight her Master. For this cause, let us sinners entreat her with boldness, that she pour forth of her oil and wine upon our manifold wounds, treating the afflictions of our bodies and curing the passions of our souls, that, restored to full health by her, we also may abide eternally with the heavenly Bridegroom.
Life:
http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?day=13&month=December
http://www.orthodox.net/menaion-december/13-holy-martyr-lucy-the-virgin.html
Same text as the Prologue, above.
Service:
http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/servlucy.htm
Icons:
http://allmercifulsavior.net/icons/Icons-Lucy.htm
If you like the icon in this blog post, contact Mother Justina, Greek Old Calendarist convent of St. Elizabeth, Etna, California. (http://users.sisqtel.net/cse/icons/index.html)