Swedish teen Alida Freding certainly has a head for lights – as she processed through York Minister in a candlelit crown during a traditional Scandinavian carol service.
The atmospheric family church procession is based on the traditional Swedish Lucia celebration – a powerful symbol and celebration of light and an integral part of the Advent season.
The celebration of Sankta Lucia is based on the bravery and martyrdom of young Sicilian girl St Lucy, who died in the early fourth century.
Her name and story reached Sweden along with Christianity, and she remained popular even after the Reformation as the bringer of light during the long darkness of winter.
Monday night’s service at York Minster featured 19-year-old Alida and the Chorus Pictor Choir & Friends, from Stockholm, Sweden.
First they processed into the cathedral’s Nave singing the traditional Lucia song, dressed in white gowns and carrying candles, with Alida as Lucia, wearing a crown of candles and a red ribbon around her waist, symbolising her martyrdom.
The moving, festive service was run in partnership with the York Anglo-Scandinavian Society and livestreamed around the world on the cathedral’s YouTube channel.
