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St. Parasceva of Rome
(Greek PARASKEVE, Slavonic PYATNITSA, English
FRIDAY )
III Century
Much-venerated among the Slavs, St. Paraskeva was
the daughter of wealthy Christians in Iconium.
Her name, which means "Friday", comes from the day of
Christ's Passion; Eastern legends say she was
baptized on a Friday and took the name as a rembrance
of both events. Western legends say she was born on Friday
and was given the name. Paraskeva had a reputation as a
preacher and is said to have converted Antoninus. Asked
at her trial under Diocletian what her name was, she replied
that it was Christ. She was martyred at Iconium. Constantine
Akropolites delivered her eulogy, and John of Euboea wrote
an account of her passion.
Karen Rae Keck
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