(St.). Patron saint for those afflicted in the eyes. It
is said that a nobleman wanted to marry her for the beauty of her eyes;
so she tore them out and gave them to him saying, “Now let me live to
God.” The story says that her eyesight was restored; but the rejected
lover accused her of “faith in Christ,” and she was martyred by a sword
thrust into her neck. St. Lucy is represented in art carrying a palm
branch, and bearing a platter with two eyes on it.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
