Paraskevi of Iconium
Encyclopedia
Saint Paraskevi of Iconium (also known as Paraskeva Pyatnitsa) is venerated as a Christian
virgin martyr
. According to Christian tradition, she was born to a rich family of Iconium. Her parents were Christian, and Paraskevi was named as such (the name means “Friday” in Greek
) because she was baptized on a Friday and because Friday was the day of Christ's Passion.
Paraskevi became a preacher, and according to tradition, converted Emperor Antoninus Pius
to Christianity
. She was subsequently martyred at Iconium during the persecutions of Diocletian
.
Paraskeva’s cult and attributes became confused with that of other saints with the same name as well as pre-Christian deities of the Slavs.
As one scholar asks:
The cults of Paraskevi of Iconium and Parascheva of the Balkans
were conflated with that of a Slavic deity associated with Friday, alternatively known as Petka, Pyatnitsa, or Zhiva.
Attributes, such as the association with spinning, were also merged into the cult of these saints.
Paraskeva-Pyatnitsa “developed a personality and functions of her own on Russian soil.” Icons of the 13th-15th centuries from Novgorod depict Paraskeva as an ascetic figure wearing the red of martyrdom. She holds an Eastern cross, a scroll professing her faith, or a vessel that holds the perfume of martyrdom. She was depicted with St. Anastasia
or Saint Barbara
or St. Juliana
; sometimes she is depicted with male saints.
In Russia, Paraskeva-Pyatnitsa was the patroness of traders and fairs, and of marriage.
Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel
near Krasnoyarsk
is dedicated to her.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
virgin martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
. According to Christian tradition, she was born to a rich family of Iconium. Her parents were Christian, and Paraskevi was named as such (the name means “Friday” in Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
) because she was baptized on a Friday and because Friday was the day of Christ's Passion.
Paraskevi became a preacher, and according to tradition, converted Emperor Antoninus Pius
Antoninus Pius
Antoninus Pius , also known as Antoninus, was Roman Emperor from 138 to 161. He was a member of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty and the Aurelii. He did not possess the sobriquet "Pius" until after his accession to the throne...
to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. She was subsequently martyred at Iconium during the persecutions of Diocletian
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
.
Veneration
An account of her martyrdom was written by John of Euboea.Paraskeva’s cult and attributes became confused with that of other saints with the same name as well as pre-Christian deities of the Slavs.
As one scholar asks:
Was Parasceve, or Paraskeva, an early Christian maiden named in honor of the day of the CrucifixionCrucifixionCrucifixion is an ancient method of painful execution in which the condemned person is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang until dead...
? Or was she a personification of that day, pictured cross in hand to assist the fervor of the faithful? And was the Paraskeva of the South Slavs the same who made her appearance in northern Russia?
The cults of Paraskevi of Iconium and Parascheva of the Balkans
Parascheva of the Balkans
Saint Parascheva of the Balkans was an ascetic female saint of the 11th century...
were conflated with that of a Slavic deity associated with Friday, alternatively known as Petka, Pyatnitsa, or Zhiva.
Attributes, such as the association with spinning, were also merged into the cult of these saints.
Paraskeva-Pyatnitsa “developed a personality and functions of her own on Russian soil.” Icons of the 13th-15th centuries from Novgorod depict Paraskeva as an ascetic figure wearing the red of martyrdom. She holds an Eastern cross, a scroll professing her faith, or a vessel that holds the perfume of martyrdom. She was depicted with St. Anastasia
St. Anastasia
Saint Anastasia was a Christian saint and martyr who died at Sirmium. In the Orthodox Church she is commemorated as the Great Martyr Anastasia, the Deliverer from Potions ....
or Saint Barbara
Saint Barbara
Saint Barbara, , Feast Day December 4, known in the Eastern Orthodox Church as the Great Martyr Barbara, was an early Christian saint and martyr....
or St. Juliana
Juliana of Nicomedia
Saint Juliana of Nicomedia is said to have suffered Christian martyrdom during the Diocletian persecution in 304. She was popular in the Middle Ages, especially in the Netherlands, as the patron saint of sickness.-Historical background:...
; sometimes she is depicted with male saints.
In Russia, Paraskeva-Pyatnitsa was the patroness of traders and fairs, and of marriage.
Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel
Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel
The Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel is a Russian Orthodox Chapel, situated on the top of Karaulnaya Mountain, in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. It is dedicated Paraskevi of Iconium .- History :...
near Krasnoyarsk
Krasnoyarsk
Krasnoyarsk is a city and the administrative center of Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, located on the Yenisei River. It is the third largest city in Siberia, with the population of 973,891. Krasnoyarsk is an important junction of the Trans-Siberian Railway and one of Russia's largest producers of...
is dedicated to her.