Saint Paraskevi, who was from a certain village near Rome, was born to pious parents, Agatho and Politia. Since she was born on a Friday (in Greek, Paraskevi), she was given this name, which means “preparation” or “preparedness” (compare Matt. 27:62, Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54, and John 19:31, where ‘Friday’ is called “the day of the preparation”). From childhood she was instructed in the sacred letters and devoted herself to the study of the divine Scriptures, while leading a monastic life and guiding many to the Faith of Christ. During the reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius, she was apprehended because she was a Christian and was urged to worship the idols, but she answered with the words of Jeremias: “Let the gods that have not made heaven and the earth perish from off the earth” (Jer. 10:11). Because of this she endured exceedingly painful torments, and was beheaded in the year 140. The faithful pray to her for the healing of eye ailments.
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The fact that Saint Paraskevi was beheaded in the year 140 — because she was a Christian and refused to worship the idols — illustrates how dedicated she was by leading a monastic life and guiding many people to the Faith of Christ.
Many people need to show more love for Christ today, by providing more time and money to enhance His Church.