Saint Lucy was a virgin and martyr who was one of the earliest Christian saints to achieve popularity, having a widespread following before the 5th century. These saint icons show the patron saint of the city of Syracuse in Sicily. She came to be thought of as the patron of sight and was depicted by medieval artists carrying a dish containing her eyes.

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St. Lucy

Saint Lucy was a virgin and martyr who was one of the earliest Christian saints to achieve popularity, having a widespread following before the 5th century. She is the patron saint of the city of Syracuse in Sicily. She came to be thought of as the patron of sight and was depicted by medieval artists carrying a dish containing her eyes.

St. Lucy's mother suffered for years from an issue of blood, and at the urging of her daughter the two went to the tomb of St. Agatha to implore the saint's intercession. The two spent the night praying by the tomb, and overcome by weariness they fell asleep. St. Agatha appeared in a vision to St. Lucy and foretold her mother's recovery and her own martyrdom. That moment her mother was cured, and in gratitude allowed St. Lucy to distribute her wealth to the poor and consecrate herself to Christ.

Her fiance accused her as a Christian to the pagans, who put her into the flames. But God miraculously protected her and the fire did her no harm. Therefore a sword was plunged into her heart, thus fulfilling the prophecy of St. Agatha. Some histories say that during her persecution her eyes were put out but then miraculously restored to her; therefore since the Middle Ages she has been invoked by those who suffer from eye trouble.