Swedish choir celebrates St Lucy’s day at York Minster Cathedral

Photo – Matilda Bergstrom during the Sankta Lucia service at York Minster. The Swedish service is a celebration of St Lucy, a Sicilian girl martyred for her Christian faith. The crown symbolises a halo, a red sash her martyrdom, and the service celebrates the bringing of light during the dark winter.

UK-based Scandinavians gathered in York Minster on Friday evening to celebrate “Sankta Lucia” or St Lucy’s Day.

St Lucy was martyred for her Christianity in Sicily in the fourth century, and in northern Europe her festival celebrates the bringing of light during the darkness of winter.

The Chorus Pictor and Friends provided the music while one of its members – Matilda Bergstrom – led the procession through the nave representing St Lucy.

She wore a crown of candles to symbolise a halo.

The choir wore red sashes over their robes to symbolise the martyr’s blood.