Bé - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 24, 2003 Martyr honoured as prelude’ to Christmas in Sweden ST. LUCIA. the Festival of Lights. ushers in, the Christmas season for mil- lions of Swedes each De- cember. - The: magical: Scandina- . vian festival is celebrated ~ on Dec. 13, which was tra-_ ditionally the longest night of the year, | This special festival is” marked by a candlelight procession led by a. young woman wearing a while gown, a red sash. and a. crown of candles, explains Bibbi Dozzi.. a. Terrace woman who is carrying on the proud ‘tradition: of her homeland. pe “T know of no other country that celebrates Lu- cia like Sweden. It’s cel-_ . ebrated in basically every household.” she says. “It's become a prelude to Christmas.” Each year on Dec. 13, Dozzi invites guests to her home to help celebrate Lucia in Swedish tradition. Dozzi puts on-a white gown and places a crown of lights on her head in a gesture that symbolizes Lucia. a saint known for her generosity to the poor. Dozzi seats her guests around a dinner table filled with foods associated with this December festival. in- cluding warm crepes filled with fruit and traditional Lucia buns. flavoured with Saffron spice. Reaching oul to other people in the community is a huge part of the Lucia festival. particularly sen- iors. . But as beautiful as the Lucia festival is, the leg- end surrounding St. Lucia iS very Iragic, orlginating in Syracuse. Sicily in the year 304 AD. Lucia was a young woman who died as a mar- tyr alter she sold her dowry to purchase food for the poor. When her husband found out. he was angry and accused her of being a Christian. Dazzi explains. She was found guilty and was sentenced to be burnt at the stake. When the flames of the fire did not touch her. a sword was used to remove her eyes, which were very beautiful. This didn’t kill her immediately, but rath- er gave her the abilily io see more than normal eyes could, , She was later declared a saint by the Roman Ca- tholic Church. She is called upon to heal people with eye disease. She is also called the Queen of Light. , The first Lucia celebra- tions appeared in Sweden. a largely Lutheran country. in 1764. It quickly spread from province to province. but mostly in high society. lighting up the darkest time of the year. In 1927, one of Stack- holm’s newspapers select- ed a Lucia for the capital Sweden. | _ In Stockholm an Dec. ‘sion of choral singers, vis- ~jung old people, hospitals cand.institutions,.and oth- ‘a televised event starting es are. awarded. All the ACEALEY OWNED 6 OPERATED 4677 LAKELSE AVE 638-8555 city, a tradition that quick- Ja a ly caught on. at ie 2! The Lucia festival is § ‘ now a huge occasion in 13, Lucia leads a proces- ers, singing carols. The festivities are now at 7 am. when Lucia at- lends church: to become blessed. The festival takes place TERRACE'S OWN LUCIA; Bibbi Dozzi wears Lucia's around the same time of white gown, red sash and crown of light. year when the Nobel priz- Nobel recipients get to meet Lucia. . ~ Dozzi says many cities throughout’ Sweden now select their own Lucia, Most households also celebrate Lucia in’ their own way, - ‘If there isa girl in the family. she will become the cne to be dressed in white with a crown of lights on her head. (These-used to be lit candles, but nowadays Lu- cia*s candles are powered by electricity. which is much safer.) If there ts- more than one child, each carries a candle and take part in singing. the song, Santa FEAST FOR A SAINT: the ta Lucia. , Lucia treats, including saffron-infused buns. Come celebrate with us as we honor the birth of our Lord. From a lowly manger on Bethlehem He came to bring us eternal life. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among 7 men with whom He is pleased!” Luke 2:13-14 I t F i Come join the celebration this Christmas—bring your family and friends and worship with us! 7 Experience the Miracle i Terrace Alliance § Salvation Church =f Amy #4923 Agar Avenue, Terrate, B.C, Sunday Candlelight Service §f Service for Families Sunday, Dec, 28 Christmas Eve 7-8 p.m. Favourite carols and morel LORD OF THE REALMS 4643 Walsh St Captains David & Rosa Moulton St. Matthew’s us Mf a December 24 6 pm, Holy Eucharist 11:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist December 25 11:00 a.m, Holy Eucharist {spoken December 28 10:00 o.m, Christmas Lessons & Carols 4514 Lakelse Ave - 635-9019 Rey, Mark H, Hatch, Interim Rector bla filled with traditional nnsonre broctdige 1}:00 am & 7:00 pm a - errace Pentecostal Assembly 3511 Eby St. (at Scott) - 635-2434 Service New Year’s eve Service DECEMBER 31 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Jim Barber - Senior Pastor Lowell Holmquist - Asst. Pastor Christmas Eve DECEMBER 24 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. ® ZION BAPTIST | Wed, Dec. 24 6:30p.m. . Christ Lutheran Church ¥™ 3229 Sparks St., Terrace, B.C. 635-5520 Christmas Eve. petra - Candlelight - yee 3602 Sparks St., Terrace 635-7207 Christmas Eve Dec, 24, 7:00 p.m. Prepared by the Youth Service Christmas Day Dec. 25, 10:00 a.m. New Years Eve Dec, 31, 7:30 p.m. New Years Day Jan. 1, 10:00 a.m, Pastor Joel Ringma Knox United Church CHRISTMAS EVE DECEMBER 24 7:30 p.m. Rev. Wally Hargrave THORNE COMMUNITY CHUGH CANDLELIGHT SERVICE Wednesday, December 24 - 7 p.m. Pastors Ron Rooker & Rob Brinson Roman Catholic 4830 Siroume Ave. - 635-2313 Christmas & New Year's Masses hristmas Eve Dec 24- 7:30pm. & Midnight & Christmas Dec. 25 - 11:00 om. oe St. Stephen’s Day Dec, 26 - 11:00 a.m. ff New Year's Eve Dec. 31- 7:30pm. : New Yeas Jn |. ion. _. m LIVING STONES CHURCH [i CHURCH ff Christmas Eve | INTERNATIONAL 7 Service 3302 Sparks St. Christmas At Candle Light Service -Choir -Special Music -Carol Singing Christmas Eve . Service Reqular Mm = Wednesday, Dec, 24 Sunday Warkship 6:30 p.m. 10:00 am. EVERYONE WELCOME 635-8830 or Keith ang Sparks Street) a 615-6063