Saint Paraskevi the New was born in the 11th century in the village of Epivato, between Silistra and Constantinople, into a devout Christian family. Deeply moved by Christ's words, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself,” she embraced a life of charity and spiritual discipline from a young age. Following her parents' death, she became a nun at fifteen and lived in asceticism in the Jordanian desert until an angel directed her to return home. She spent her final years in Epivato and passed away at twenty-seven. Her relics, found to be incorrupt, became the source of many miracles and were enshrined in the church of the Holy Apostles in her hometown.

Over the centuries, Saint Paraskevi’s relics traveled extensively due to historical upheavals. They were moved to Trnovo, Bulgaria in 1223, later passing through Serbia and Constantinople, before reaching their final resting place in Jassy (Iași), Romania. On June 13, 1641, they were placed in the monastery of the Three Hierarchs, and after surviving a fire in 1888, were transferred to the new cathedral in Jassy, where they remain today. Her feast day is celebrated on October 14, and she is venerated for her piety and the many healings attributed to her relics.

Troparion — Tone 2

You loved the solitary and hesychastic life, / and then, with diligence, you hastened after Christ, your Bridegroom, and took up His easy yoke in your youth. / Armed with the Sign of the Cross, / you contended courageously against noetic enemies; / through fasting, prayer, and by shedding tears, / you extinguished the embers of the passions, O glorious Paraskevḗ. / Now, standing in the heavenly Bridal Chamber of Christ, together with the wise virgins, / intercede for us who honor your holy memory.

Kontakion — Tone 6

Devoutly let us all praise the most honorable Paraskevḗ, / a holy intercessor for the afflicted; / for she left this perishable life behind and received eternal incorruption. / Therefore, she has been given the grace of working miracles, by the command of God.