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Saint Paraskeve lived in early 2nd century Rome, during the rule of the ruthless emperor Hadrian. Named after the Greek word for the day on which she was born (Friday), she was mature from birth and filled with virtues beyond her age. A very humble girl with great self control, she never fell into the typical behavior of others her age such as gossip and flaunting of her beauty. She highly prized her virginity and safeguarded it at all times. Many young men sought her hand in marriage but Paraskeve would have nothing of it. At the age of twenty, her parents reposed and she gave all of her inheritance away and sought out the monastic life. She was a nun for ten years then requested permission to leave in order to evangelize. The granting of her pious wishes answers the question and supports the concept of women acting as evangelists and/or prophets, as teachers and other roles within the Church. Some women have even been ranked as "equal to the apostles". In fact, there were even a couple of synods arranged by powerful female empresses. While Orthodoxy holds that a woman should never become a priest or hold any other position within the holy altar, the various other roles of women within the Church should not to be underestimated in their value. At the age of 30, Paraskeve was taken before emperor Antoninus Pius to renounce Christ. She witnessed her faith with zeal as she was ordered to wear a red-hot, iron helmet. By God's grace, it only felt cool to her. Many Greek pagans converted after witnessing this miracle and, as a result, were martyred. Antonius, only more enraged, ordered that she be hung by her hair at the top of a poll. She was lit with torches all over her body. All of this she endured like a true soldier of Christ. Out of Pius' exasperation and desperation, she was to be placed in a caldron of boiling oil. Much to his dismay, she only stood in it, calm and cool. Amazed, he asked her to sprinkle him so that he could know if it was an illusion. She complied and upon the oil hitting his face, his eyes were made blind. He cried out begging her to restore his sight, for now he too believed. She stepped from the oil and, after healing him, baptized him. From that point, Christian persecutions throughout the Roman Empire were ceased by him. Paraskeve then traveled outside of Rome to continue her ministry. Having come into the territory of another emperor, she once again had to witness her faith by being sent to a cave to be devoured by a serpent. However, with the sign of the cross as her weapon, the serpent split apart. That king also converted and was baptized. Another time, yet another king tried to persuade her to deny her faith. Rather, she spoke out against the ludicrous and evil nature of the idols. Again, as was customary during these times, she was ordered to endure the boiling oil. On this occasion, an angel came and turned it to cool, misty water. Many onlookers converted which enraged the king further and he ordered her body to be scourged. Although numerous men took turns beating her, she only glowed. Nothing was working, so the king ordered her to be imprisoned. They tied her down and placed a marble slab on top of her. She endured and prayed. That night, Christ appeared in cloud of angels and told her to forebear just a little while longer and she would spend eternity with him. He healed her and released her from the restraints and left. The next day, she was called for and told, "See how the gods have preserved you?" She declared that it was Christ, not the lifeless idols, who made her whole again. However, she accepted the invitation to enter their temple. Thinking that she was doing so because she had changed her mind, the king happily took her there. Additionally, he ordered all to come and witness his influence over her. Once there, Paraskeve spoke to the statue of Apollo and asked if he wanted her to sacrifice to him. Upon the saints words, the demon within it answered that he was not a god nor were any of the other idols and that only the God whom she spoke of was real. It said that they were the fallen angels who, out of jealousy from the time of their fall, sought only to deceive humanity into worshipping them. The saint spoke with divine strength and then sounds of crying and writhing came from the idol, just before it shattered. Priests and other pagans pushed her out and ordered the king to see to her death. She was led out of the city and beheaded on July 26th in the year 180. Many miracles have taken place at her tomb to those who call upon her intercession from that time and unto this day. Holy Paraskeve, pray to the Lord for us that our souls may be saved! |
Saints Pistis, Elpis, Agape and Sophia
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