THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - The annual Santa Lucia Festival will be held at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, in Samuelson Chapel at California Lutheran University.

The dramatic Swedish ceremony, which has been part of the 50-year-old university’s holiday celebrations since its early years, pays homage to the Christian martyr who died at the stake on Dec. 13, 304 A.D. She symbolizes the spirit of a centuries-old legend of Christian service. Swedish immigrants brought the tradition to America.

CLU’s students select five female and five male representatives whom they think best represent the Christian attributes of faith, hope, charity and compassion demonstrated by Santa Lucia from among their peers. Lucia, her attendants and their escorts will enter to an ancient hymn and read an adaptation of the legend and then the attendants will light the candles in Lucia’s crown.

The Office of Campus Ministry and the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation are sponsoring the free event.

The chapel is located near the corner of Olsen Road and Campus Drive in Thousand Oaks. For more information, call the Office of Campus Ministry at (805) 493-3228.