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Saint Paraskevi of Rome
The life and martyrdom of Saint Paraskevi, virgin martyr and healer of the blind
The life and martyrdom of Saint Paraskevi, virgin martyr and healer of the blind
Saint Paraskevi of Rome (2nd-3rd century AD), also known as Saint Paraskevi the Great Martyr, is one of the most venerated virgin martyrs in the Orthodox Church. Her name, meaning “Friday” or “Preparation,” reflects her parents’ devotion to Christ’s Passion, and her life of purity, miraculous healings, and courageous martyrdom has made her a beloved intercessor, especially for those suffering from eye diseases.
Paraskevi was born in Rome to wealthy and pious Christian parents, Agathon and Politia, who had long been childless. After years of fervent prayer, they were blessed with a daughter, whom they named Paraskevi in honor of Friday, the day of Christ’s crucifixion, which they particularly venerated.
From her earliest years, Paraskevi was raised in deep Christian piety. Her parents taught her the Scriptures, the lives of the saints, and the importance of prayer and fasting. She showed exceptional devotion to Christ and a natural inclination toward asceticism and charity.
When Paraskevi was still young, her parents died, leaving her a considerable inheritance. Rather than seeking marriage or worldly pleasures, she dedicated her virginity to Christ and devoted her wealth to helping the poor, widows, orphans, and the sick.
She lived a life of strict asceticism, combining:
Paraskevi became renowned for her healing ministry, particularly for curing eye diseases and blindness. Through her prayers and the sign of the cross, many who were blind received their sight, and those suffering from various ailments were restored to health.
Her healing ministry was always accompanied by preaching about Christ, and many pagans converted to Christianity after experiencing or witnessing her miracles. She would tell those she healed: “It is not I who heal you, but Christ, the true God and Physician of souls and bodies.”
During the persecution under Emperor Antoninus Pius (or according to some accounts, Diocletian), Paraskevi’s Christian activities and her success in converting pagans came to the attention of the authorities. She was arrested and brought before the emperor.
The emperor, struck by her beauty and noble bearing, tried to persuade her to renounce Christ and marry a nobleman. Paraskevi boldly refused, declaring: “I am the bride of Christ, and I will never betray my Heavenly Bridegroom for any earthly pleasure.”
Enraged by her refusal, the emperor ordered her torture:
Throughout these torments, Paraskevi remained steadfast, praying for her persecutors and praising God. According to tradition, she was miraculously healed of her wounds, which only increased the emperor’s fury.
In one account, when the emperor continued to pressure her to sacrifice to idols, Paraskevi prayed, and the emperor was struck blind. The pagan priests tried to restore his sight through their incantations, but failed.
Paraskevi then told the emperor that if he would believe in Christ, his sight would be restored. When he promised to believe, she prayed, and immediately his sight returned. However, instead of keeping his promise and converting, the emperor attributed the healing to his pagan gods and continued to persecute her.
Paraskevi was subjected to additional tortures:
Each miraculous deliverance led to more conversions among the witnesses, including some of the soldiers and officials. The emperor, increasingly frustrated, ordered her moved to different locations for further torture.
Eventually, Paraskevi was sentenced to beheading. She went to her execution with joy, thanking God for allowing her to witness to Christ through her suffering. Before her death, she prayed for all who would invoke her name and seek her intercession.
She was martyred on Friday (appropriately, given her name), and her death was accompanied by miraculous signs. Christians secretly took her body and buried it with honor, and her tomb became a place of pilgrimage and healing.
Saint Paraskevi became one of the most widely venerated saints, particularly as:
Healer of Eye Diseases: She is especially invoked for blindness and eye problems Patron of the Blind: Those suffering from vision problems seek her intercession Protector of Women: She is invoked by women facing difficulties Helper in Illness: She is called upon for various physical ailments
Saint Paraskevi’s veneration spread throughout the Christian world:
Throughout Greece and Cyprus, numerous holy wells and springs are dedicated to Saint Paraskevi. The water from these wells is believed to have healing properties, especially for eye diseases. Pilgrims visit these sites to pray to the saint and wash their eyes with the holy water.
Saint Paraskevi is commemorated on July 26th (August 8th New Style). Her feast is celebrated with great devotion, and many churches hold special services for the blessing of water and prayers for healing.
Her troparion proclaims: “In you, O Mother, was preserved undamaged that which was created in the image of God; for taking up your cross, you followed Christ. By your actions you taught us to overlook the flesh, for it passes away, but to attend to the soul since it is immortal. Wherefore, O venerable Paraskevi, your soul rejoices with the angels.”
Saint Paraskevi’s life demonstrates important spiritual truths:
Virginity for Christ: Her dedication shows the beauty of consecrated celibacy Healing Ministry: Her miracles point to Christ as the true Healer Courage in Witness: Her boldness before emperors models Christian courage Power of Purity: Her pure life enabled her to work miracles and resist temptation
Saint Paraskevi is typically depicted in icons:
Saint Paraskevi remains profoundly relevant for contemporary Christians:
Saint Paraskevi of Rome continues to intercede for the faithful, especially those suffering from eye diseases and blindness, showing that Christ remains the Divine Physician who heals both physical and spiritual blindness through the prayers of His saints.
“I am the bride of Christ, the immortal King, and no earthly power can separate me from His love.” - Saint Paraskevi of Rome