PARASKEVE

PARASKEVE. The name of six women saints (q.v.) on the Orthodox calendar: three martyrs (q.v.), the Paraskevi of Iconium (October 28), Rome (July 26), and the sister of Photina, the Samaritan woman of Jn 4 (February 26). The three others are virgin saints or ascetics: Paraskeve of Serbia (October 14), of Primis (October 28), and of Sarov (September 22). The name in Greek means “preparation,” and is also the present word for Friday from the Jewish week: Friday as preparation for the Sabbath. Thus “Saint Paraskeva” can also be translated in Greek as “Holy Friday,” the day of Christ’s Crucifixion.