Bolivia, the Philippines, Mozambique, Georgia, and Saudi Arabia are just a handful of the many sovereign countries named after men, who range from politicians and explorers to saints and kings. However, Saint Lucia, one of the Windward Islands in the eastern Caribbean, is the only country named after a woman. The French were the first Europeans to settle on Saint Lucia, which they named in honor of Saint Lucy of Syracuse.
St Lucy was a young Christian martyr who died in 304 A.D. during the Diocletianic Persecution. She is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Orthodox churches.
The miracle of Lucy of Syracuse:
- Saint Lucy was born around 283 A.D. in Syracuse, in modern-day Sicily.
- The oldest version of Saint Lucy's story comes from the 5th century AD. Many miracles were reported to have occurred through her intercession, including the curing of her mother's deadly bleeding disorder.
- During her lifetime, Saint Lucy had hoped to distribute her substantial dowry to the poor, but when her betrothed found out about the plans, he complained to government officials, who ordered her execution with a sword.