Antique Silver Reliquary Pendant, Saint Lucie.

Antique Silver Reliquary Pendant, Saint Lucie.

Centering the relic on red silk, labeled "S. Lusize M.Y.", set in a scrolled edge, 800 silver gilt pendant mounting.

Italy 1890s - 1900s

Size: 29.0 mm

Weight: 6.2 grams.

SAINT LUCIA

Lucia of Syracuse (c. 283 – 304 AD), also called Saint Lucia, was a Roman Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution. She is venerated as a saint in Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christianity. She is one of eight women (including the Virgin Mary) explicitly commemorated by Catholics in the Canon of the Mass. Her traditional feast day, known in Europe as Saint Lucy's Day, is observed by Western Christians on 13 December. Lucia of Syracuse was honored in the Middle Ages and remained a well-known saint in early modern England. She is one of the best known virgin martyrs, along with Agatha of Sicily, Agnes of Rome, Cecilia of Rome, and Catherine of Alexandria.

According to the traditional story, St. Lucy was born to rich and noble parents in 283. Her father was of Roman origin, but died when she was five years old,  leaving Lucy and her mother without a protective guardian. Her mother's name, Eutychia, seems to indicate that she came from a Greek background.

Like many of the early martyrs, Lucy had consecrated her virginity to God, and she hoped to distribute her dowry to the poor. However, Eutychia, not knowing of Lucy's promise, and suffering from a bleeding disorder, feared for Lucy's future. She arranged Lucy's marriage to a young man of a wealthy pagan family.