Great Martyr
Great Martyr Paraskeva of Iconium ("Friday")
III век (при имп. Диоклетиане)
Also known as: Параскева Пятница
Great Martyr Paraskeva of Iconium — daughter of devout Christians who especially honored Friday (in memory of Christ's Passion), for which she was named Paraskeva (Greek for "Friday"); she refused a pagan marriage, openly confessed Christ before the governor Asclepius (Aetius), and was beheaded under Emperor Diocletian; in Rus' she became one of the most popularly venerated saints under the name "Paraskeva Pyatnitsa."
The Great Martyr Paraskeva was born in Iconium (Asia Minor) to devout Christian parents who especially honored Friday — the day the Savior was crucified — with prayer and fasting. In memory of this day, her parents named their daughter Paraskeva (Greek for "Friday"). Left an orphan, the saint devoted herself to preaching the Gospel, refusing marriage. During the persecution of Emperor Diocletian she was seized and brought to trial before the governor (variously named Asclepius or Aetius in different versions of the Life), where she openly confessed faith in Christ and refused to sacrifice to idols. For this she was brutally tortured and beheaded. In Rus', veneration of the Great Martyr Paraskeva grew especially widespread and merged with reverence for Friday as a day of the week, forming the folk image of "Paraskeva Pyatnitsa," patroness of fields, livestock, trade, and women's handiwork, with numerous churches and chapels dedicated to her at springs.
IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION: the original feast_days included July 26 — this date belongs to a DIFFERENT venerable martyr, Paraskeva of Rome (feast Jul 26/Aug 8), not Paraskeva of Iconium; removed to avoid confusion. The date "Nov 9" has been corrected to the accurate "Nov 10" (matching Oct 28 O.S.).