Parascheva of the Balkans

Who is Parascheva of the Balkans?

Saint Paraskeva of the Balkans was an ascetic female saint of the 11th century. She was born in the town of Epivates on the shore of the Sea of Marmara; her parents were wealthy landowners.

The legend says that when she was 10 years old, Paraskeva heard in a church the Lord's words: "Whoever wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.". These words would determine her to give her rich clothes away to the poor and flee to Constantinople. Her parents, who did not support her decision to follow an ascetic, religious life, looked for her in various cities. Paraskeva 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. Her voyages took her to Jerusalem, wishing to spend the rest of her life there. After seeing Jerusalem, she settled in convent in the river Jordanian desert.