Paraskeva Pyatnitsa

● Orthodox Remembrance Day: July 26, October 28
● Name means: Pa: derived from Friday/Py: the supplier in the month of bean cooking
(Greek.
● Preacher, Martyr
● Born in Ikonium, today Konya, Turkey
● Died around 140 in Rome
Paraskeva was the daughter of wealthy Christians in Ikonium – today’s Konya. Its name is derived
from Friday, the preparation day for the weekend, it indicates the day of the Passion of Christ.
According to the legends of the Eastern Church, it was baptized on Fridays and received its
name in memory of both events; according to those of the Western Church, she was born on a
Friday.
Paraskeva became famous as a preacher, she had converted Antoninus. Asked for the name in
court in the persecutions under Diocletian, she replied that her name was Christ, whereupon
she was martyred in Iconium. Constantine Akropolites wrote a hymn of praise to her, John of
Euboea wrote down her story of suffering.