PRINCETON — A time-honored Swedish tradition continues with the annual St. Lucia Festival on Dec. 8 at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 24 N. Main St. in Princeton. The annual breakfast, sponsored the Women’s Ministry, will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the vestry of the church.

Aubrey Smith will portray Saint Lucia, dressed in a long white gown tied by a simple red satin ribbon with a wreath of greenery and lighted candles on her head. Lexi Marselle and Zia Kimberley will serve as Lucia’s attendants during the breakfast.

The St. Lucia breakfast and Festival of Light is Swedish tradition celebrated in  the Covenant Church. The legend of St. Lucia tells how she was martyred for her faith, bringing food and light to Sweden during the winter famine. According to legend, Lucia was the daughter of a wealthy Sicilian family who refused a marriage, arranged by her family, to a non-Christian boy. The boy, who also came from a wealthy family, was insulted by her refusal of marriage and became instrumental in Lucia’s persecution.