Mount Athos weathered lithography (icon) of Saint Lucia the Virgin Martyr in pine wood with carved decoration.

Saint Lucia was originally from Syracuse in Sicily and came from a noble Christian family. At a very young age she was orphaned by her father and her mother raised her according to Christian requirements. She was a virgin and engaged to a pagan. When her mother became seriously ill, she went to the church of Saint Agatha to pray for her. The Saint, through a vision, assured her of the healing of her mother, as it did.

The two women returned to Syracuse and Lucia indulged in charity to please God. Her fiancé, however, reported her to the ruler of the region who subjected her to ruthless torture and sentenced her to death by beheading. Lucia was martyred for her Christian faith and surrendered her soul to the Lord. The Orthodox Christian Church commemorates her on December 13 of each year.

Kontakion of Saint Lucia the Virgin Martyr

Third Tone

We extol with fervent love thy most illustrious contest, and we praise and honour thee as a chaste virgin and victor; for since thou didst seek the beauty of Christ and none else, thou didst hate all things corruptible, O wise Lucia. Wherefore, when thou wast beheaded, thou wast adorned with an incorruptible crown.