Hindus greet Swedes on St. Lucia's day

Nevada (US), Dec 7 (ANI): Hindus have sent early greetings to Swedes in Sweden and world over on St. Lucia's day, which falls on December 13.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a release in Nevada (USA) today, expressed warmest greetings on St. Lucia's day, wishing happiness, peace and joy to all the Swedes.

Rajan Zed, who is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that all religions should work together for a just and peaceful world. Dialogue would bring us mutual enrichment, he added.

Associated with Sicilian martyr Saint Lucia (queen of light), this about 400-year old tradition is celebrated in the form of church processions and concerts in Sweden. In flowing white gowns wearing wreaths of glowing candles in hair and holding in hands, thousands of young girls form a light procession singing Lucia's melodies and handing over saffron buns (Lussekatt) and coffee. Presently, most towns in Sweden appoint an official Lucia each year followed by a national Lucia.

Church of Sweden, which is an Evangelical Lutheran community, is the national church and about 74 percent Swedes are members. Headed by Anders Wejryd, Archbishop of Uppsala, it has about 2, 225 parishes and 13 diocese. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. (ANI)