Saint Lucia’s story lives on at First Covenant Church

YOUNGSTOWN — Saint Lucia died hundreds of years ago, but her spirit and tradition live on inside the walls of First Covenant Church of Youngstown

For 37 years, members of First Covenant have hosted the Lucia Breakfast as a way to usher in the Christmas season to community and congregation members.

Legend describes Saint Lucia as an Italian girl who brought food to Christians hiding in the catacombs, said Cathy Zimmerman of First Covenant. She wore candles in her hair to light her way.

Lucia was captured, brought to trial and burned at the stake as a Christian martyr in 304 A.D., Zimmerman said.

She said the legend is now celebrated by having the eldest daughter in a Swedish family dress in a white gown, donning a wreath lit with candles.

“Very early in the morning in thousands of Swedish homes, members of the family are awakened by the eldest daughter who serves them coffee and freshly baked Lucia buns,” Zimmerman said.

That tradition was brought to First Covenant as a way to celebrate Saint Lucia as a community, said Beverly Olson, event chairwoman.

“A lot of churches in the country celebrate a Lucia festival,” she said. “It’s something that really brings everyone in the community together.”

Olson said this year’s Lucia Breakfast is on Saturday with three performances at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m.

Tickets for the breakfast are $7 per person and are still available for the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. performances. They can be purchased by calling First Covenant Church at (330) 758-9753.

Read more in Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com