great merit of the saints of the Lord.Many of them are already at an early age to strive for excellence the kingdom of heaven.Such was Paraskeva, whose parents tried to raise her daughter in the faith, and chastity.Taking on the cross of martyrdom, it is his spiritual feat once again witnessed the incomparable great power of God to punish the idolaters and their gods.
Life
Saint Paraskeva was born in the III century BC.e.in the Roman Empire in the city of Iconium (modern Turkey).While the governor of the state was Diocletian who committed the persecution of those who preach Christianity.The girl's parents firmly believed in the Trinity United living the law of God.They always kept the post, was honored Wednesday and Friday, remembering in these days of Jesus Christ's suffering, has suffered torture as atonement for human sin.For the fear of God and unwavering faith in the Almighty gave him the daughter of parents.They named her Paraskeva, which translated means "Friday", because the girl was born on that day.Unfortunately, the righteous will soon moved to another world, leaving a young girl on this sinful earth.Saint Paraskeva continued the work of their parents, keeping the commandments of God and the remaining chaste.Even then, she chose a heavenly Bridegroom - Jesus Christ, to seek only to be near him.
She was beautiful in body and soul.To her wooed many rich men, but she remained adamant.Parents Paraskeva daughter left a good legacy.The money spent great martyr Paraskeva not for themselves but for clothes and food for the poor.All the pleasures of life: expensive vestments, decorations and entertainment - a girl is considered temporary and perishable.Instead of earthly pleasures Paraskeva prayed and preached faith in Jesus Christ.
Confessor Lord
Although the Christians of that time were subjected to terrible persecution, Paraskeva continued to preach the faith of Christ.Many young men saw the holy immaculate beauty, offered to marry her and to worship an idol, in order to preserve their lives and not being subjected to brutal torture.But the great martyr Paraskeva always answered that one God - Jesus Christ and He is her only Bridegroom.Some townspeople turned in through the holy faith, while others criticized her for such preaching.
Once Diocletian commanded his subjects to go to the cities of the Roman Empire in search of Christians who turn others from idolatry.Aetiju Aetiyu was given an order to visit the city of Iconium, and to find the secret believers in the one God.
sovereign citizen people met with great honor.Citizens, not hiding, they said that there is one girl named Paraskeva, who confesses that Jesus Christ does not go to the temple for the worship of idols.Hearing this, Aetiju demanded the immediate and to find her before the court.The soldiers quickly found her and sent her to the bishoprics.Aetiju seeing beautiful Paraskeva, was fascinated by her beauty.Holy was not sad, but rather shone with joy.Aetiju wanted to know whether people not slander the beautiful girl.Paraskeva without fear and hesitation replied that she is a true Christian and confessor of the Lord.Aetiju invited her to worship the gods in the temple of idols.In return, he promised her to save lives.A subject of the Emperor did not conceal that Paraskeva really liked him, and he offered the holy marry him.But the maiden was adamant."The only my bride - Jesus", - she said.Aetiju threatened Paraskeva agonizing suffering, which the executioners prepared for it.But she was not afraid of this, because she knew that after all the torture the Lord will take her to him.Furious Aetiju ordered executioners to remove her clothes and beat young body ox tendons.Paraskeva during the terrible suffering not utter a word for mercy, but only to himself, thanking the Lord.Aetiju, unable to watch as destroying the beauty of women, ordered the executioners to stop and once again commanded the Saints to worship idols.Paraskeva, gritting his teeth, remained silent.For this Aetiju insulted the whole Christian family, then she spat in his face.For Aetiju it was the last straw.Beside himself with rage, he ordered the executioners to hang upside down and Paraskeva torment her iron claws.
Unhappy prayed, and her blood was obagrivala ground.When the executioner saw that the girl was dying, he told about this Aetiyu.He ordered Paraskeva cast into prison, that earthly death was more painful for her.
phenomenon angel
Wounded and exhausted, Paraskeva was lying on the floor of a prison cell, as if dead.But the Lord saw her embracing love the Holy Trinity, sent to the girl Angela.He came to Paraskeva with a cross, crown of thorns, a spear, a cane and a sponge.Angel comforted troubled girl rubbed her wounds.Christ healed Paraskeva - the body has become healthy again, and her face lit up with a radiant beauty.She shone like an angel.Paraskeva in gratitude for healing beginning to praise the Lord.
unexpected discovery
morning guard, appearing in a prison cell Paraskeva, discovered that she is completely healthy.Filled with joy, she sang prayers and praise the Lord.Startled, the guards rushed to Aetiyu and reported an unprecedented miracle.Aetiju summoned Paraskeva and said that her healing - the merit of the idols worshiped by the Romans.Aetiju, taking her hand, led her to one of the churches.Paraskeva, without resistance, entered the temple .Turning to the heavens, she said a prayer to the Lord, then the terrible earthquake happened.All the statues of the gods were destroyed and turned into ashes.Many who have seen it converted to Christianity.And only Aetiju regarded this as a strong ritual magic and ordered to suspend holy to the post and burn her side lights.Paraskeva again turned to the Lord.In her prayers Almighty hath turned hot fire of a virgin, sending him to the torturers.People who saw the miracles which were committed by the Lord through Paraskeva, believed in Jesus Christ, rejecting paganism.Aetiju afraid that he would lose his power, which was based on the belief in idols.So he ordered to cut off his head Paraskeva.Finally, the Lord takes the soul tormented, fragile girl in the kingdom of heaven, where she awaited eternal bliss.
Fate Aetiju
finished with suffering Paraskeva, Aetiju as if nothing had happened decided to go hunting.On the way to the forest his horse stood up on its hind legs, he threw the ruler on earth.He died on the spot, sending his soul to eternal death in hell.
Then Christians, many of whom believed in the Lord because of Paraskeva, took the body of the Virgin, and could bury her in the chapel.
holy relics healed the mental and physical illnesses people in her prayers before the Lord.
image
St. Paraskeva, the icon is shown in this article is represented by fair-haired girl with a crown of thorns on his head.She is dressed in a red and blue mafory cover.Great Martyr in his left hand holds a scroll with the text of the Creed, and the right - the cross, symbolizing faith in Christ and the suffering incurred Paraskeva.Icon of St. until the 20th century was in every peasant's house.Farmers especially honored her image, ornate decorating it with ribbons, flowers or riza.On the day of memory of the Great (November 10 New Style), peasants necessarily come to a church service and consecrated the fruits that were kept in the house until the following year.
also in Russian villages on the feast Paraskeva was taken to consecrate a piece of linen cloth, which halts the image of a saint.That is why in the Orthodox Church can be found the name of another Great - Paraskeva Lnyanitsa.Peasants praying saint on the conservation of cattle, especially cows.
Paraskeva ... What pray this holy?
First of all, it is consulted by people engaged in agriculture and home life, as well as those who have livestock.Paraskeva, gave a vow of virginity, praying to the Lord for those who expect a decent husband.Those who have long been unable to conceive a child can also apply to the martyr in hope of a miracle of childbirth.It helps to establish peace in the family as Paraskeva, as all Orthodox Christians pray.
Holy healing spiritual and physical infirmities of believers, especially in cases of unbearable pain, as well as during the temptations of the devil.
Ironically, in the affairs of trade also helps Paraskeva Friday, as they pray those associated with this activity.Hence the tradition of organizing fairs in the day Friday.
image Paraskeva often put at the springs and wells for water found healing power.In Russia, it was also decided to tie the flowers to her image, and then turn them into the broth, which was treated not only physical, but also mental illness.Prayer Paraskeva has such great power, that her men were hidden in the text of a piece of fabric, which is applied to the affected area and were healed.
covered me more!
In Russia, people worshiped Paraskeva as the intercessor girls who want to marry.That is why she prayed even on the Shroud, asking for help in matters of love.Paraskeva, of marriage and never thought a vow of virginity, chastity helps the girls to make a worthy choice in an effort to create a family.
Guardian Friday
Saint Paraskeva appeared to our ancestors strict woman who commanded them strictly observe fasting on Wednesday and Friday, and is not engaged in household chores and do not carry the discord among the people.It also forbade them to eat these days skoromnaia food.Holy came to many farmers in visions, so no one doubted that it was a very great martyr.That is why in some parts of our country is still the custom to postpone sewing, washing clothes and other things to do on the day of Paraskeva.
Our ancestors also told that the villages of Little went holy great martyr, whose body was pricked with needles because of the sins of women who do not observe strict fasting in the assigned days.In honor of St. Paraskeva in Russia it was established 12 Friday days, which were confined to any great holiday, such as the Annunciation, Easter, the beginning of Lent, and so on. D.
Pagan origins
in ancient image of Paraskeva often mixed with paganMokosh goddess who was worshiped as the keeper of the family hearth.Therefore, the protection of Orthodox holy attributed agriculture and the home.
Some believe that the veneration of St. Paraskeva traders due to the fact that the trade fair was anciently Friday afternoon.
Similar disputes over patronage saint were razvencheny Holy Synod, which banned mixed with pagan image of the Great Goddess.But the tradition of the consecration of sources of fruits and preserved to this day.
At the crossroads of Russia previously staged special poles or chump, who was on foot to offer sacrifice.With the adoption of Christianity these buildings were removed, and in their place build a tower and a chapel.Many of them were built in honor of Paraskeva.
For example, one of the famous buildings is considered Chapel Paraskeva located in Krasnoyarsk Karaulnaya mountain.This tower is a symbol of the city.Her image can be found on ten-bill in 1997.These chapels are also built in other cities of Russia.
temples and churches in honor of St.
In memory of martyr complexes built many Orthodox, which was the central figure Paraskeva.In Butovo built the church, which dates from the XVI century.The wooden church was burned during the invasion of the Lithuanians.Stone version was rebuilt by the end of the XVII century.The church was restored in the XX century.Paraskeva Church was built in the shape of a ship - the spiritual guide for the Orthodox.Topped with golden domes, as if he is calling people in the long and arduous, but worth sailing on the river of life and faith.
Church Paraskeva also built in Yaroslavl.Its official name - Pyatnickoe-Tugovsky temple.It was built in the late XVII century.One of its chapels is devoted to the feast of the Annunciation.Special adversity temple Paraskeva experienced in the 30-ies of XX century.Then, on the orders of Soviet power were torn down the bell tower and one of the domes.A renovated church Paraskeva was only towards the end of the XX century, when the temple was transferred to the Diocese of Yaroslavl.
How to handle a saint?Read the
heartily prayer Paraskeva very effective.After all the saints - are intermediaries between God and human beings.The petitions of the martyrs and the Monks in the face of the Most High are always fulfilled.Therefore, prayer is - a mandatory component of the life of an Orthodox Christian.In matters of the home, as well as love, assistant of the Russian people became Paraskeva.What pray and seek what young girls?Of course, a worthy suitor.For such cases, there is a special prayer to Paraskeva.It asked the holy virgins to help them find her husband, just as the great martyr gained her Bridegroom in heaven.
Many temples dedicated Paraskeva, are in small villages and towns.One of these is the church Hvoschevatke in the Voronezh region.In this relatively small village (population less than 300) people are trying to build a temple, once destroyed during the bombings of World War II.Not far from the church is a holy spring under the name "Seven springs", known for its healing power not only in the Voronezh region, but throughout Russia.
You can also visit the church in Suzdal Pyatnitsky, whose official nzvanie - St. Nicholas Church.In the place of the standing stone building was a wooden complex, named Paraskeva.And although in 1772 it was consecrated in honor of St. Nicholas, the locals still call it Pyatnitsky.Initially, the church was intended for winter worship.That is why it was built in the style of suburban architecture.This type of temples inherent elongated shape along the axis of "East-West" and semicircular apse.A distinctive feature of Suzdal Pyatnitskiy temple is situated in the middle of the octagon structure put to bushel and domed-shaped flowerpot.This structure is not typical for Suzdal architecture.
Thus, Saint Paraskeva Friday for his spiritual exploits honored and will honor Orthodox Christians.For many of them this great martyr is an example of a great spiritual strength and courage, unwavering faith and universal love to the Lord, as well as the main defender of the people before God.
