Life of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa
Paraskeva was born into an Asian Christian family. Her parents revered Holy Friday, on which Jesus Christ was crucified, so much that they even gave their daughter a Greek name, which translates as Friday - Paraskeva.
The fact is that Byzantium, located on modern Greek territory, was considered the main Christian center at that time. It was from this country that Christianity came to Russia.
Paraskeva lost her parents early and, for the sake of Christianity, vowed to devote herself to God and not get married. During her youth, a pagan emperor ruled who tried to force Paraskeva to sacrifice to the pagan gods. She refused to do this, for which she was subjected to torture and great suffering.
After the abuse, Paraskeva was thrown into prison, but the Christian God spared her and after the pagans came to see her, she no longer had a single wound and Paraskeva was completely healthy. However, the emperor did not believe in this miracle and killed Paraskeva, beheading her and lighting her with torches.
Paraskeva’s body was buried in a Christian manner and healings came from it to the sick. Then she was called to sainthood.
During Paraskeva’s life, amazing miracles happened - when she was tortured before being sent to prison, barely alive, she continued to pray and by the morning not a single wound remained on her body and she was alive and well.
Then the emperor ordered her to be burned with torches if she did not agree to pray to the pagan gods, but the flames continued to fall on the pagans, and the statues of the gods immediately turned to dust. Then the emperor cut off her head and this ended Paraskeva’s earthly torment.
But even her relics gave miraculous healings. And after the execution, the emperor himself died during a hunt - he was trampled by his own horse.
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Prayers before the icon
First prayer
O holy and blessed martyr of Christ Paraskevi, the decoration of the virgin martyr praises the purity of the image, the generous mirror, the wise surprise of the keeper of the Christian faith, the idolater, the flatterer, the accuser, the Gospel of God, the champion of the commandments of the Lord, the zealous one, who was honored to come to the exit of the eternal step and the charter of the Spouse, Christ, God, rejoicing in the light, crowned with the crown of virginity and martyrdom! We pray to You, holy martyr: Christ God grieves for us, you always rejoice in His blessed gaze: in the same word pray to the Merciful; ignite with your holy prayers the darkness that comes from our sins; We ask the Father of Light for the light of grace for our soul and body; Enlighten us, hidden by sins, with the light of God’s grace, so that your love for holy prayers will bring unpleasant sweetness. O great joy of God! O bravest maiden! O strong martyr, Saint Paraskeva! In your holy prayers, help us sinners, go and pray for the damned and green-eyed sinners, rush to our aid, since we are very weak. Pray to the Lord, pure girl, moth of the Merciful, holy martyr, pray to your Spouse, the immaculate bride of Christ, that through your prayers let us overcome the darkness of the sinner, in the light of the true faith and divine deeds, in the light of the eternal, never-evening day, in the city of joy, even now, shine brightly with glory and boundless joy, praising and singing with all the heavenly powers the One Tristian Deity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now always and always accepted the Amen.
Second prayer
The unknown saint of Christ, the long-suffering martyr of Paraskeva! Vema, since from your youth you loved with all your soul and loved with all your heart the King of glory, Christ the Savior, and only He felt disgust for you, distributing your testimonies to the needy and the needy. With the power of your piety, your purity and righteousness, you shine like the rays of the sun, live holy among unbelievers and fearlessly preach to them Christ, God. Your parents, you have always reverently revered the days of the redemptive passion of our Lord Jesus Christ for Him and also suffered voluntarily. By the hand of the Angel of God, who divinely healed unhealed wounds and received an indescribable light, you struck those incredible tormentors. You, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the power of your prayer in the pit of the pagans, turned all the idols to dust, you turned me to dust. You, lit with candles, with your only prayer to the Almighty Lord, extinguished this natural fire and with the same flame, miraculously kindled through the Angel of God, after you burned the innocent and suffered the iniquity of iniquity. You, glory to the Lord, Priya of the sword, guide the beheaded of your tormentors, you are valiantly dead, you grieve your enterprise, having ascended your soul to heaven, to the longed-for palace, your wife Christ, the king of glory, joyfully met this heavenly voice: “Rejoice, O Righteous One, like the crowned martyr Paraskeva! “So today we greet you, long-suffering one, and, looking at your holy icon, we call out to you with tenderness: righteous Paraskeva! Vema, as greatness and courage for the Lord: pray for His beloved and for us from those who come and pray that he will give us, like you, patience and complacency in difficulties and sad circumstances; He grants with your steps and your intercession a joyful, blessed and serene life, health and salvation, and with all the grace to our beloved Motherland, bless the holy justice and blessings of Christ, piety and holiness, the experience of Christian love and in all good deeds: cleanse us from all filth and vice we sinners, protect us with holy angels, be blessed with holy mercy, And that you may improve your salvation with holy prayers, representation and intercession, the glorious ignorance of Christ Paraskevo, we glorify all that is holy, great and divine in the Holy Fathers God and the Father of God , and always amen.
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What do they pray for and what does the Paraskeva icon help with?
In Rus', the name Paraskev was a favorite among peasants. It was believed that the prayer to Paraskeva helps crops to sprout and protects the harvest from all evil spirits. Therefore, on the day of memory of Paraskeva, they brought fruits and fruits to her icon, which were preserved until November ( the day of memory of Paraskeva is November 10 ).
Today, Paraskeva is prayed for health and well-being in the family, for the birth of children and for a successful marriage. Paraskeva also helps with domestic quarrels, negative relationships with in-laws and mother-in-law.
This is what they pray for in front of the icon of Saint Paraskeva:
- about a good harvest, sowing, the appearance of fruits;
- about a successful marriage, finding a good person in life;
- about the chastity of growing children, which is especially important in the modern world;
- about ending quarrels in the family;
- about the appearance of children, if they have not been there for many years;
- if the husband or wife suffers from drunkenness, debauchery and does not behave like family people;
- from fires;
- earthly danger, bandits and attacks;
- about establishing relationships with mother-in-law and in-laws.
Customs associated with Holy Paraskeva Friday
In the Orthodox tradition, Paraskeva is highly respected and is considered an intercessor and assistant in many matters, often related to the household. In peasant huts, the Praskovya icon was always exquisitely decorated; On the day of his memory, November 10, the peasants brought the fruits to the temple for consecration and stored them at home until the next harvest. Linen fabric was also blessed, thanks to which the people called linen fabric Paraskeva.
In the villages of S. Paraskeva, he prayed for the cattle to be healthy, especially the sucklings. His image was often placed near springs and wells to obtain healing powers through the water. Saint Paraskeva is also considered the patroness of those involved in trade. Since trading on Saturdays was previously prohibited, all purchases were made in advance, on Fridays. The name “Friday Fairs” also appeared.
Paraskeva was also considered the guardian of Fridays, when it is necessary to fast and put off household chores: washing, sewing, etc. In some villages this custom is still observed.
Prayer to Paraskeva Friday for health
Paraskeva’s relics almost immediately began to produce miraculous healings. Therefore, they pray to Paraskeva if there are health problems, of any nature.
Paraskeva helps in the treatment of wounds, women's diseases, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and muscle weakness. It is for this reason that it is customary to read akathists, canons and prayers before the Paraskeva icon, so that it will help in all problems and diseases, especially if women and children in the family are sick.
Paraskeva helps with skin diseases, wounds, blood loss and many other diseases, but this does not mean that you should refuse medical care.
By the way, very often, through the prayers of Saint Paraskeva, healings occur with the help of official medicine, correctly provided assistance, or a meeting with a good doctor.
Where are the relics of the saint
Saint Paraskeva Friday was known during her lifetime. Her relics are also famous due to the many healings documented in the archives. Today, the relics of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa are practically inseparable and are located in Romania. The saint's heels are kept in Constantinople, in the Church of Saints Helen and Constantine. Pilgrims come to them from all over the world.
A piece of the holy relics of Paraskeva Friday is available for veneration in the Temple of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane in the area of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Moscow. You can venerate the shrine in the temple every day from 7-30 to 22 hours.
Prayer to Paraskeva Friday for the groom
Paraskeva also helps in her personal life. It is enough to simply pray in front of her icon in your own words.
Personal petition to the holy martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa
Paraskeva helps not only to find your own family happiness, but also to find a good person or even wait a while, and not choose one option worse than the other, which is not uncommon in the modern world. Therefore, you should pray to Paraskeva if you doubt the groom or have several opportunities to get married, but don’t know who should be preferred.
Usually, after prayer, Paraskeva gives some kind of sign that allows you to decide who to give preference to and whether to get married. This could be an acquaintance, a meeting, some important detail that you had not paid attention to before and to which you did not attach any importance.
Prayer to Paraskeva Friday for children
If the spouses do not have children, then it is worth reading prayers and akathists to Paraskeva in front of her icon. And then you may have a successful attempt to get pregnant and give birth to a healthy baby or toddler. There were even cases when, after praying to Paraskeva, twins were born.
But even after the birth of children, it is worth praying for their health and well-being Paraskeva. Then children will develop harmoniously and can become wonderful people when they grow up.
It is worth praying to Paraskeva even when growing children begin to make their choice in favor of love. It is believed that Paraskeva will help them avoid early out-of-wedlock pregnancy or poor choices.
They also pray to her for the successful marriage of their adult children.
Venerable Paraskeva-Petka of Serbia
Kontakion 1
Chosen by the Lord to shine in the firmament of the Church, Reverend Mother Paraskeva, through your angelic life you shone like a bright sun to the whole world, and you appeared as a healer to the spiritually and physically ill. For this reason, by faith we call you: Rejoice, Venerable Mother of Paraskeva, consolation to the afflicted!
Ikos 1
Having shown an angelic jealousy worthy of wonder, you adorned your life on earth with virtues and in heaven you were worthy of living with the angels. In the same way, earnestly pray to God, the Lover of Mankind, to deliver from troubles and circumstances all who cry out to you: Rejoice, for you have freely accepted the good yoke of Christ’s commandments. Rejoice, for through your life you have exposed the vanity of this world. Rejoice, for you have guarded your heart from all passions. Rejoice, for through the creation of the commandments you have gained the love of God. Rejoice, for you taught us to follow Christ by wearing the cross. Rejoice, for you always help us those who are exhausted. Rejoice, Venerable Mother of Paraskeva, consolation to the grieving!
Kontakion 2
Seeing the imminent change in earthly things, you left worldly rebellion and moved into the desert, where with many fastings and prayers, like blessed food, you nourished your soul, piously calling: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
Having gained reason, right faith and perfect love, God-wise mother, you were adorned with abstinence and humility, for this reason you were the temple of God and an abundant source of miracles; With the same reverence we sing to you: Rejoice, thou who art perfect in the evangelical self-denial. Rejoice, for through long-term poverty you have gained eternal wealth and glory. Rejoice, for through the vow of poverty you showed spiritual heights. Rejoice, bright height of humility. Rejoice, for through your exploits you have destroyed the strangling strength. Rejoice, for you surprised everyone with the height of your feat. Rejoice, Venerable Mother of Paraskeva, consolation to the grieving!
Kontakion 3
Strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit, you bravely bore the feat of fasting with patience, O Reverend, and with your tears you defeated your proud enemy, singing with gratitude to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
Always having in your mind the image of the coming Judgment of Christ, and shedding warm tears, blessed one, you adorned the lamp of your soul, preparing it for the meeting of the most righteous Judge. And grant us the right to stand before Him, singing in faith to thee: Rejoice, thou art inspired by the Most Holy Spirit. Rejoice, for all the days of your life were sanctified by your constant invocation of the name of God. Rejoice, for while standing in prayer before God you fell asleep. Rejoice, thou who, by the power of prayer, conquered the devil's temptations. Rejoice, having preserved for yourself the memory of death from sin. Rejoice, for you have pleased God completely. Rejoice, Venerable Mother of Paraskeva, consolation to the grieving!
Kontakion 4
You escaped the storm of the present belly, O reverend one, you willingly accepted the poverty of Christ for the sake of accepting it, you enriched yourself with great virtues, and you moved many to jealousy through the way of your life, teaching them to cry out to Christ God: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
The Lord heard your prayers and sighs, done in secret, blessed mother, and appeared in heaven before the Angels and glorified your labors; Now dwelling in God's paradise, remember us who call to you: Rejoice, worthy interlocutor of the Angels. Rejoice, great blessing of the saints. Rejoice, perfect and high praise of the saints. Rejoice, decoration of the righteous and the most famous rule of the fasting. Rejoice, glory and God-bright crown of virgins and monastics. Rejoice, wall and firm defense of Christians. Rejoice, Venerable Mother of Paraskeva, consolation to the grieving!
Kontakion 5
Having lived your life in the world, blessed mother Paraskeva, you were adorned with the lack of acquisition of earthly good things and you were enlightened by abstinence, nourished by the past and crying out to your Master with tenderness: Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Seeing your pure life and your immeasurable humility, the Holy Spirit showed you, most blessed, glorious in miracles. For this reason, you who have departed from this life into heavenly bliss, with many saints, you intercede with everyone who calls to you with tenderness: Rejoice, fragrant blossom of the desert. Rejoice, most desert education. Rejoice, having cut off the thorns of passions with the sickle of your prayers. Rejoice, you who extinguished the fire of sin by shedding tears. Rejoice, you who drove away all enemy rebellion. Rejoice, thou who, by the image of thy virtuous life, lift up the lazy one to repentance. Rejoice, Venerable Mother of Paraskeva, consolation to the grieving!
Kontakion 6
You were likened to the preacher of truth, worthy Elijah, and of repentance to the lamp of the Baptist John, O reverend mother! For you have abandoned the cares of everyday life, to remain silent in the mountains, and you have always studied in remembrance of the hour of death, in your vigils singing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 6
The heavenly light illuminated you, as you stood in great compunction at the all-night prayer, and the Angel of the Lord appeared to you, announcing God’s command to you: return to your fatherland, as it is fitting for you to give up your body to the earth, and let your spirit move into its heavenly home; For this reason we sing to you: Rejoice, thou art worthy to see an Angel in this life. Rejoice, thou who has piously fulfilled the commandments of God. Rejoice, for in the Blachernae Church you prayed to the warmth of the Mother of God. Rejoice, for you have betrayed yourself with Her warm protection. Rejoice, for before your departure you diligently prayed for the whole world. Rejoice, for after leaving your body you have found an eternal life. Rejoice, Venerable Mother of Paraskeva, consolation to the grieving!
Kontakion 7
Desiring to pass away from the present age, like a star in setting, you were highly praised, and you shone in the heavenly life, leaving us like the dawn of virtues and the correction of your life, in whose image you still illuminate the hearts of all who call to God by faith: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
Having fulfilled the law of new grace, you ascended to heaven with virtues, in order to rejoice along with the heavenly orders; In the same way, pray with them to the Savior Christ for all who sing to you: Rejoice, for you have dwelled in the unflickering light. Rejoice, for you have been rewarded with the chamber of Christ’s kindnesses. Rejoice, for you have received much reward from the Lord for your labors. Rejoice, for you have acquired an incorruptible crown from on high. Rejoice, for you have seen the Trinitarian God directly. Rejoice, for you are in heaven with the Angels. Rejoice, Venerable Mother of Paraskeva, consolation to the grieving!
Kontakion 8
The Christ-loving George saw a strange and wondrous sight: he saw a certain queen sitting on the bright throne and many bright warriors around her, and hearing this word spoken to him: George, try to take away my relics and put me in an honest place, singing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
All the people of Christianity, having heard the words of George, soon flowed to the relics of the Venerable Paraskeva, and I took it with great zeal, rejoicing as if about some valuable treasure, honestly placing it in the church, calling to love: Rejoice, joyful hearing of the Orthodox. Rejoice, bright star of faith, illuminating the Church. Rejoice, indestructible ark of God's gifts. Rejoice, God-flowing fountain, flowing waters of healing to the faithful. Rejoice, for you have healed all those who are faithful to illness through the grace of Christ. Rejoice, for you help us to live chastity and purity. Rejoice, Venerable Mother of Paraskeva, consolation to the grieving!
Kontakion 9
The blessed Tsar of the Bulgarian John Asen, who received great zeal for you, received the news where your miraculous and holy relics lie, Venerable Paraskeva, I commanded to bring them to my city of Ternovo and with great honor I placed them in my church, where many healings flowed out to all who flowed with faith and To those who sing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
The child, who was nine years old from his birth in dumbness, came to your temple by faith, received this healing and began to speak kindly. For this reason, we tenderly call you: Rejoice, our mighty intercessor and deliverer from troubles. Rejoice, quick helper to those suffering from the spirits of evil. Rejoice, for through your prayers the blind can see. Rejoice, for you give blessed fruit from God to the barren. Rejoice, for you have raised up those weakened from the bed of sickness. Rejoice, unceasing prayer book of those who flow to you by faith. Rejoice, Venerable Mother of Paraskeva, consolation to the grieving!
Kontakion 10
You saved a wife from demon possession, even though she had promised to do the commandments of God, but she was slow and did not fulfill her vow: you also quickly punished her with illness and death, and others would learn not to lie to God, but to remain in the truth and sing to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall and a saving refuge for Orthodox people who are in slavery, and in their troubles flow to your healing and miraculous power, and call to you with all compassion: Rejoice, quiet refuge for all the faithful. Rejoice, warm intercessor and patroness of the unjustified. Rejoice, for you grant consolation to the enslaved and needy. Rejoice, for the Hagarians also feared and taught miracles. Rejoice, for through you Orthodoxy is exalted. Rejoice, for through you unbelief and evil faith are put to shame. Rejoice, Venerable Mother of Paraskeva, consolation to the grieving!
Kontakion 11
Blessed Serbian Queen Milica, bringing songs and prayers before the shrine of your miraculous relics, with great zeal I brought from the kingdom of the evil believers to my throne city, in defense of the Serbian family, calling to God: Alleluia!
Ikos 11
A bright and newly-minted star appeared to the West, shining with the many-light rays of your miraculous relics to all the faithful, most of all those who love you, attracting your feats with the luminous radiance, and delivering us from troubles and misfortunes, crying out to you like this: Rejoice, source of manifold healings. Rejoice, dear helper to the suffering. Rejoice, for you disperse the darkness of sorrows. Rejoice, for you deliver people from the abyss of sins. Rejoice, for through you we dare to call upon the abyss of God’s mercy. Rejoice, for having been delivered from the flood of wrath, through you we find peace with God. Rejoice, Venerable Mother of Paraskeva, consolation to the grieving!
Kontakion 12
By the grace of Christ you heal illness and passion, and drive away the spirits of wickedness, glorious Paraskeva, and enlighten the faithful with the brilliance of your miracles; We also cry out to God for you with gratitude: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
Singing diligently your deeds, we pray to you, our reverend mother Paraskeva, pray for the Church of Christ: ask God for the strength of the Orthodox Faith and victory over heresy, for us salvation and peace, and through love we glorify you: Rejoice, bright adornment of Christ’s Church. Rejoice, champion of the Orthodox Faith. Rejoice, wall and deliverer of our fatherland from the evil believers. Rejoice, protection of the monasteries and houses of the faithful. Rejoice, intercessor of the Christian race. Rejoice, quick helper by faith to those who require your protection. Rejoice, Venerable Mother of Paraskeva, consolation to the grieving!
Kontakion 13
Oh, our venerable Mother Paraskeva, consolation to the sorrowing and adornment to the virgins, accept the present hymn from our unworthy lips, and beg the Lord to deliver us from eternal torment, so that with you in our heavenly Fatherland we sing to Him: Alleluia!
This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1.
