Paraskeve the New

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For other saints with the name "Paraskeve," see the disambiguation page.

Our venerable Mother Paraskeve the New lived as a monastic in the 11th century. She is beloved in Romania as Parascheva and in Serbia as Petka. She is also distinguished from other saints of the same name with the descriptions "the New" or "the Young." Her feast day is celebrated on October 14.

Life

Born in Epivat (Thrace; Byzantium, near Constantinople) in 11th century, Paraskeve was of noble origin. Her pious parents taught her as a child the words of the Gospel which say that everyone who wants to follow the Lord Jesus must give up everything. When her parents died, she gave up the world for the "desert" while still young in years. First she dedicated her life entirely to God through prayer and fasting, and then undertook ascetic struggles in the desert of Jordan.

She is especially beloved by the Orthodox peoples of Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldavia where her holy relics are kept in the church of the Three Hierarchs, Iaşi, Romania.


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Hymn

Troparion (Tone 4) [1]

You chose a silent and solitary life;
You followed Christ your Bridegroom.
You took his easy yoke in your youth,
Arming yourself with the sign of the Cross.
You contended against spiritual enemies
Through fasting, tears and labors,
O glorious Paraskeva.
Now you stand before Christ with the Wise Virgins:
Intercede for us who honor your precious memory.

External links