The mysterious feast of Paraskeva Friday, October 28: history and traditions

On Tuesday, October 28, Orthodox Christians celebrate the day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Paraskeva, also known as Paraskeva Friday. This holiday, deeply rooted in folk traditions, combines elements of Christian veneration of the saint and pre-Christian customs related to women's work and well-being. In the national calendar, Paraskeva Friday day is considered especially important for women, since the saint represents the protection of the hearth, fertility and female destiny. The history and traditions of the holiday are in the material of Izvestia.

Paraskeva Friday: the history of the holiday

Saint Paraskeva was born in the 3rd century in Iconium (modern Turkey) into a family of pious Christians. According to legend, her parents dedicated her to God before she was born, naming her Friday after the day of Jesus Christ's suffering.

As an adult, Paraskeva took a vow of virginity and devoted her life to serving Christ, spreading the Christian faith among pagans. For her devotion, she was tortured and executed, becoming a martyr for her faith.

In the folk tradition, Paraskeva Friday merged with the image of the Slavic goddess Mokosha, the patroness of women's labor, fertility and the hearth. Rituals related to women's crafts, especially spinning and weaving, were held in honor of the saint. It was believed that Paraskeva protects women from troubles and diseases, helps in needlework and family cares.

Paraskeva Friday: when is celebrated

Saint Paraskeva Memorial Day falls on October 28 in the new style (November 10 in the old style). In the Orthodox calendar, this day is marked as the day of the Great Martyr Paraskeva, named Friday. In the folk tradition, the holiday is also called Paraskeva Mud.

Paraskeva Friday: what not to do on October 28

On Paraskeva Friday, there were certain popular prohibitions and recommendations aimed at preserving health and well-being. Women were not recommended to do heavy housework: spinning, weaving, washing clothes, mopping floors and performing other physically difficult tasks.

Violation of these prohibitions, according to popular beliefs, could lead to misfortunes and troubles. It was also considered unacceptable to quarrel, slander, swear or be jealous, as such actions allegedly attracted diseases and troubles.

It was not recommended to lend money or borrow it, because it meant "giving away your happiness." On this day, it was forbidden to wash their hair and bathe children, although sick children, on the contrary, were recommended to be washed with well water. It was also forbidden to clean the chimney, which was considered dangerous and could lead to misfortune.

Common prohibitions included abstaining from hard physical labor, especially using metal tools, rough treatment of animals, excessive fun and laughter, as well as negative statements about the dead, as this prevented their souls from finding peace.

This day was also accompanied by a number of folk signs related to the weather and natural phenomena. It was believed that frost on the trees foreshadowed frost, a foggy morning — a thaw, and a circle on the moon — a storm. To meet a squirrel in the forest meant the onset of warming, and if the cherry leaves had not yet fallen by that day, the heat would last a long time.