Great Martyr 3rd century

Greatmartyr Paraskevi of Iconium

3rd century

Also known as Paraskeva

A Christian virgin of a wealthy family of Iconium who preached Christ, refused pagan worship, and suffered martyrdom during persecution.

Feast Day

October 28

Draft

Draft — pending review. Not yet verified for publication.

Hymn / Apolytikion Icon gallery Video / Media

Commemorated as

The Holy, Glorious Great-Martyr Paraskevi of Iconium

Life

Paraskevi of Iconium was a Christian virgin martyr of the 3rd century, born to a wealthy and pious family in Iconium (modern Konya, in Asia Minor). According to tradition, her parents named her Paraskevi after the Greek word for Friday (paraskeve), the day of Christ's Passion, on which she was baptized.

She is remembered for preaching Christ, refusing to take part in pagan worship, and converting others to the faith, among them a man named Antoninus. She suffered martyrdom at Iconium during the persecutions of Christians, traditionally placed in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. An account of her martyrdom is attributed to John of Euboea.

She is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, with her feast day kept on October 28. The Orthodox Church in America commemorates her as a Greatmartyr on that date.

Contributions & Legacy

2 contributions Read Hide

Veneration and Legacy

Paraskevi's veneration spread widely among the Eastern Slavs, where she became known as 'Paraskeva-Pyatnitsa' — 'Pyatnitsa' meaning Friday in Russian — fusing her commemoration with the day for which she was named.

In the Russian context her veneration overlapped with older pre-Christian traditions associated with the goddess Mokosha, to whom women had traditionally dedicated Friday afternoons. She came to be regarded as a patroness of traders, fairs, and marriage, and as a protectress of fields and cattle. Numerous Eastern Slavic churches bear her name.

Scholars have noted that her attributes became blended with those of other saints sharing the name Paraskevi and with pre-Christian figures, and have raised the question of whether she reflects a historical Christian woman or a personification of Friday itself.

Iconography

In iconography Paraskevi is typically shown wearing a red robe symbolizing martyrdom, often holding an Eastern cross, a scroll expressing her confession of faith, or a vessel of perfume associated with her martyrdom.

Medieval icons from Novgorod, dating to the 13th through 15th centuries, depict her as an ascetic martyr figure, sometimes shown alongside Saints Anastasia, Barbara, or Juliana.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints