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Byzantine iconography has the 4th century Sicilian martyr holding a cross and a lamp, as "Lucia" means "light." This ancient liturgical prayer shows her to be a young woman who loved Christ above all, as the bride loves the bridegroom: "O Jesus, your Lamb Lucia cries out to You with great love: 'O my Bridegroom, I long for You in great pain. I am crucified with You, and in baptism I am buried with You. I suffer for Your sake in order to reign with You, I die for You in order to live in You. Accept me as an immaculate victim, since I am immolated for Your love.' Through her intercession, O Merciful One, save our souls!" (Troparion for the Feast of St. Lucia, Byzantine Liturgy.)
