![Saint Paraskevi - Holy Martyr of Rome](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/paraskevi-e1690328656955.jpg?resize=480%2C600&ssl=1)
Saint Paraskevi – Holy Martyr of Rome
Saint Paraskevi, thought-about the healer of the blind, was born in Rome round 130 AD, through the reign of Emperor Hadrian.
Her feast day is well known on July 26
Paraskevi’s dad and mom, Agathon and Politia, of Greek origin, have been staunch Christians, though perception in Christ on the time, when Christianity was nonetheless in its infancy, was against the law punishable by loss of life.
Agathon and Politia, who have been getting just a little older however remained childless, prayed passionately to God, asking Him to bless them with a baby and vowed that if their prayers have been answered, the kid can be introduced up as a godly Christian.
Their prayers have been answered and Politia gave start to a wholesome child lady.
The naming of Paraskevi
![Painting of Saint Paraskevi in Rome by Areena Atskvereli - Greece](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/356978083_226125857055477_2079155543736186438_n-e1690328282492.jpg?resize=527%2C600&ssl=1)
Portray of Saint Paraskevi in Rome by Areena Atskvereli – Greece
Because the little lady was born on a Friday, Agathon and Politia named her Paraskevi, the Greek phrase for Friday.
Paraskevi in Greek actually means “to arrange” and like Saturday (Sabbato, Sabbath) and Sunday (Kyriaki, Lord’s Day), Friday additionally has a spiritual that means, a day of preparation for the Sabbath, inherited by the Greek Orthodox tradition from Jewish practices .
Paraskevi, due to her dad and mom’ steering and the superb schooling they gave her, turned a religious Christian and unfold the phrase of God to others, hoping to strengthen their religion on this new faith.
Paraskevi continues the nice work of his dad and mom
![Saint Paraskevi - Holy Martyr of Rome](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/356983779_2185374561661382_6041740404385480553_n.jpg?resize=433%2C600&ssl=1)
Saint Paraskevi – Holy Martyr of Rome
When Paraskevi was twenty years outdated, her dad and mom died, leaving their daughter with a substantial fortune, which she used to assist the needy individuals of Rome and to finance a Christian commune for younger virgins and widows who devoted their lives to charitable work .
On the age of thirty, Paraskevi left Rome and have become a preacher of the Christian religion within the surrounding villages and cities, this was no small feat and required nice braveness because the pagan Romans on the time persecuted Christians.
Inspired and inspired by the variety of individuals she managed to transform, Paraskevi returned to Rome to proceed her mission, and though her fame preceded her, she managed to elude the powers that be.
Excited by this, Paraskevi boldly determined to go to Turkey and proceed his preaching there.
Paraskevis doom
![Agia Paraskevi by Michael Damaskenos (16th century)](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/357000938_1638922453271860_8044072189889924859_n.jpg?resize=500%2C600&ssl=1)
Agia Paraskevi by Michael Damaskenos (sixteenth century)
It was in Turkey, when she unfold the phrase of God in a village close to Constantinople (Istanbul), that Paraskevi first bumped into the legislation and was detained by the troopers of the emperor Antonius Pius, the then ruler of Rome.
She was accused of blasphemy, blaming her for all of the dangerous luck the empire had not too long ago skilled.
Listening to of Paraskevi and her holy mission, Antonius Pius demanded that she be returned to Rome.
Antonius Pius right now didn’t execute Christians and not using a trial, and a Christian may solely be tried if a proper criticism was made towards him by one other citizen, and that is precisely what occurred to Paraskevi on her return to Rome; quite a few complaints have been made towards her, prompting Antony to summon her to his palace for questioning.
The trial towards Paraskevi
![Saint Paraskevi Holy Martyr of Rome Boiled in oil and tar](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/356982361_1618185552002274_1419599658867373515_n-e1690328959728.jpg?resize=485%2C600&ssl=1)
Saint Paraskevi Holy Martyr of Rome Boiled in oil and tar
Slightly, Antony favored Paraskevi’s look and demeanor, and went simple on her whereas attempting to steer her to surrender her religion; he even went as far as to vow marriage, which might end in her changing into Empress Paraskevi!
Paraskevi refused and angered Antonius to the purpose the place he ordered her to be crushed and tortured by having a metal helmet lined with nails positioned on her head and tightened with a vise.
This act of violence appeared to haven’t any impact in any respect on Paraskevi, actually it backfired by inflicting a number of witnesses who classed this as a miracle to transform to Christianity and not using a second thought.
Antonius then, additionally and not using a second thought, had them put to loss of life and Paraskevi thrown into jail, the place her horrible torture continued, being hung by her hair and her palms and arms burned with torches.
Nonetheless, Paraskevi didn’t succumb to the ache.
In a rage, Antoninus Pius ordered his males to immerse Paraskevi in a big vat of oil and tar.
Once more it appeared like a miracle had occurred, as an alternative of burning she stayed cool!
Believing that his males had taken pity on the poor girl and disobeyed him by filling the bathtub with chilly oil and tar, he demanded to check the temperature, whereupon Paraskevi threw a handful of the boiling liquid into his face, blinding him .
She then climbed out of the bathtub and requested Antoninus to wish to the Christian God to revive his sight, as he was the one one able to doing this.
Antoninus was ready to attempt something at this level, and due to this fact prayed to God to revive his sight; his prayers have been answered.
In due to God for this miracle, Antonius set Paraskevi free, transformed to Christianity and put an finish to the persecution of all Christians all through the Roman Empire.
That is how Paraskevi turned referred to as the healer of the blind.
Now free, Paraskevi resumed his life’s calling with much more enthusiasm than earlier than, however the peace was to not final lengthy.
Marcus Aurelius renews the persecutions towards the Christian Church
![Marcus Aurelius Antoninus – 26 April 121 – 17 March 180 – Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD and a Stoic philosopher.](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Marcus_Aurelius_from_Villa_Adriana_Hadrians_Villa_160-169_AD_Palazzo_Massimo_alle_Terme_Rome_12453821284.jpg?resize=396%2C599&ssl=1)
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus – 26 April 121 – 17 March 180 – Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD and a Stoic thinker.
Finally Antony died, and his successor, Marcus Aurelius, renewed the persecution of the Christians.
As destiny would have it, a plague struck Rome and killed 1000’s, as soon as once more the Christians have been blamed and the legal guidelines modified once more.
Paraskevi and the Serpent
![Saint Paraskevi and the Serpent](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Saint-Paraskevi-the-Virgin-Martyr-of-Rome-Icon-Orthodox-Martyrdom-8-e1690328875100.jpg?resize=400%2C600&ssl=1)
Saint Paraskevi and the Serpent
In a metropolis dominated by a person named Asclepius, Paraskevi was arrested once more; this time for refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods and as punishment was thrown into the pit which was residence to a lethal snake.
When Asclipius noticed the serpent fall lifeless after Paraskevi had made the signal of the cross over it, he realized, like Antoninus Pius earlier than him, how highly effective each Paraskevi and the Christian God have been, he transformed to the brand new faith and set Paraskevi free.
As soon as once more she continued her travels educating the individuals in regards to the Christian religion earlier than lastly being arrested for the final time by a Roman official named Tarasius.
Already seen
![Agia (Saint) Paraskevi and scenes from her life.](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Agia-Paraskevi-and-scenes-from-her-life-e1690329093720.jpg?resize=484%2C600&ssl=1)
Agia (Saint) Paraskevi and scenes from her life.
Taracius summoned Paraskevi to his palace for trial and once more, as Antony had finished, he additionally ordered his males to immerse her in a vat of boiling oil and tar.
Once more Paraskevi remained cool, onlookers transformed to Christianity and consequently Paraskevi was taken away to be tortured.
Taracius then ordered her to be taken to the temple of Apollo.
Ultimate Act:
Paraskevi’s loss of life
![Saint Paraskevi destroys the idols at the Temple of Apollo](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Saint-Paraskevi-the-Virgin-Martyr-of-Rome-Icon-Orthodox-Martyrdom-4.jpg?resize=351%2C500&ssl=1)
Saint Paraskevi destroys the idols on the Temple of Apollo
The individuals have been in a state of pleasure, they praised Taracius, positive that this time Paraskevi’s spirit and religion had been damaged, when Paraskevi immediately raised his hand and made the signal of the cross.
With a loud crash, all of the idols adorning the temple fell to the ground and broke into a whole lot of items.
Determined, the clergymen grabbed Paraskevi, tore her from the altar and dragged her out of the temple, all of the whereas screaming at Taracius to kill her.
Paraskevi was beheaded in Rome on July 26 within the yr 180 AD
Relics of Saint Paraskevi
It has been mentioned that relics of Saint Paraskevi have been one way or the other dropped at Constantinople (it isn’t recognized when or how) and have been displayed there round 1200.
The alternate historical past
![Tomb of Saint Paraskevi - Monastery of Saint Paraskevi of Pounta](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/paraskevi-tomb1.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
Tomb of Saint Paraskevi – Monastery of Saint Paraskevi of Pounta
The inhabitants of Epirus, in northern Greece, believed that Paraskevi was not martyred in Rome, as her official historical past states, however in Thesprotia, the place the monastery of Saint Paraskevi of Pounta stands at the moment.
The story goes that Paraskevi’s pursuers took her to the banks of the river Acheron to behead her.
Because the sword was raised above her head, she grabbed an historical stone pillar, which she gripped so arduous that her palms left imprints within the stone. (It’s mentioned that guests to the church inbuilt her reminiscence would later chip off items of the stone to maintain as a talisman, inflicting the stone to be half its unique dimension by 1960) .
![What remains of ancient stone pillar that Paraskevi grabbed so hard that her hands left imprints in the stone - Monastery of Saint Paraskevi, in Pounta](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/agia-paraskeui-4-e1690354876514.jpg?resize=399%2C600&ssl=1)
What stays of an historical stone pillar that Paraskevi gripped so arduous that her palms left imprints within the stone – Monastery of Saint Paraskevi, in Pounta
The devoted individuals of Epirus ultimately constructed a church on this web site to commemorate Saint Paraskevi and the place her relics can be housed.
Right now that is the monastery of Pounta, Epirus, which capabilities as a nunnery.
![The monastery of Pounta Epirus, now the monastery of Saint Paraskevi, in Pounta (Kanalaki municipality of Parga)](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/agia-paraskeui-7-e1690354706847.png?resize=600%2C410&ssl=1)
The monastery of Pounta Epirus, now the monastery of Saint Paraskevi, in Pounta (Kanalaki municipality of Parga)
A part of the cranium; “the miraculous myrrh-flowing holy cranium” mentioned to belong to Saint Paraskevi is housed on the Petraki Monastery (Moni Petraki), the oldest standing Byzantine church in Athens.
![Part of the miraculous myrrh-flowing sacred skull of Saint Paraskevi at the Monastery of the Incorporeal Powers (Moni Petraki), Athens.](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Portion-of-the-miraculous-myrrh-streaming-holy-Skull-of-Saint-Paraskevi-at-the-Monastery-of-the-Bodiless-Powers-Moni-Petraki-Athens-e1690356324624.jpg?resize=567%2C600&ssl=1)
A part of the miraculous myrrh-flowing sacred cranium of Saint Paraskevi on the Monastery of the Incorporeal Powers (Moni Petraki), Athens.
![Petraki Monastery - The oldest standing Byzantine church in Athens - Greece](https://i0.wp.com/greekerthanthegreeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Μονή_Πετράκη_2017-e1690355957488.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
Petraki Monastery – The oldest standing Byzantine church in Athens – Greece
Legend has it that Saint Paraskevi nonetheless performs his miracles from past the grave:
At her grave it has been mentioned that the blind regain their misplaced sight, barren girls conceive, and the lame stroll.
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