Orthodox Christians following old calendar celebrate Moldova’s patron saint

Saint Parascheva who is venerated as the patron saint of Moldova and all the Balkan Orthodox countries, is observed by the Christians following the old calendar on October 27. Priest Ioan Ciuntu, Archpriest of Saint Theodora of Sihla Church, stated for Info-Prim Neo that during the over 350 since Saint Parascheva has protected Moldova, her relicts kept at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iasi have worked many miracles and cured many illnesses. Saint Parascheva of the Balkans (also known as Petka, Petca Parasceva, Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, Parascheva the New, Parascheva the Young) was an ascetic female saint of the 11th century. She was born in the town of Epibatos on the shore of the Sea of Marmara; her parents were wealthy landowners. As a young woman, Parascheva gave her rich clothes away to the poor and fled to Constantinople. Her parents, who did not support her decision to follow an ascetic, religious life, looked for her in various cities. Paraskevi fled to Chalcedon, and afterwards lived at the church of the Most Holy Theotokos in Heraclea Pontica. She lived an austere life, experiencing visions of the Virgin Mary One of the visions told her to go to Jerusalem. This she did and she also spent time in a convent in the Jordanian desert. She returned to Constantinople, and then when she was 25, lived in the village of Katikratia, in the church of the Holy Apostles. She died at the age of 27. In subsequent years, Parascheva’s relics were translated to various churches in the region. In 1238, the relics were translated from Katikratia to Veliko Tarnovo, while in 1393 to Belgrade, specifically the Ružica Church. When Belgrade fell to Ottoman forces in 1521, the relics were taken to Constantinople. In 1641, the relics were conveyed to Trei Ierarhi Monastery in Iasi, Romania. In 1888, they were translated to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iasi. Her intact relics have remained in Iasi ever since. A number of settlements in Moldova, including Dobrogea, Tohatin, Ciorescu, Fauresti and Hulboaca of Chisinau municipality and Straseni town, mark their days on the Feast of Saint Parascheva.