Righteous Paraskeve of Serbia

Commemorated October 14

St Paraskeva the New was born into a pious family, living during the eleventh century in the village of Epivato, between Silistra and Constantinople. One day, while attending the divine services, the words of the Lord pierced her heart like an arrow, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself" (Matthew 16:24). From that time she began to distribute her clothing to the needy, for which reason she endured much grief from her family.

Upon the death of her parents, the Saint was tonsured into monasticism and withdrew to the Jordanian desert where she lived the ascetic life until she reached the age of 25. After five years, she left the desert and went to Constantinople. She settled in a village called Kalikratia, where she remained until her death. In 1641 AD, her incorrupt relics were transferred to the cathedral at Jassy in Rumania, where many healings took place.