Important traditions and customs on Orthodox Paraskeva Friday

Every year on October 28, Orthodox believers celebrate Paraskeva Friday, the day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Paraskeva of Iconium, patroness of women, health and family well—being. Izvestia tells about the origin of the holiday, its historical significance, traditional rituals and what absolutely should not be done on this day in order to preserve harmony in the house and the well-being of the family.

Paraskeva Friday: the history of the holiday

Paraskeva Friday is an Orthodox holiday dedicated to the Great Martyr Paraskeva of Iconium, revered as the patroness of women, fertility, health and family well—being. Her name comes from the Greek word Paraskeva, which means "Friday," the day when, according to Christian tradition, Christ suffered on the cross. The saint's parents, pious Christians, named her after this day, especially honoring Friday as the day of the Lord's sufferings.

Saint Paraskeva was born in the 3rd century in the city of Iconium (modern Turkey) into a wealthy family. She devoted her life to serving God, renounced worldly goods, and became known for her pious life and preaching of Christianity. For refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods and spreading the Christian faith, she was tortured and executed.

In the folk tradition, Paraskeva Friday merged with the image of the pagan goddess Mokoshi— the patroness of women's crafts, fertility and the family hearth. With the advent of Christianity, many of the customs associated with Mokosh were transferred to St. Paraskeva Memorial Day, which contributed to the preservation and development of folk traditions and customs.

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Paraskeva Friday: folk traditions and customs

In the Paraskeva national calendar, Friday, celebrated on October 28 (November 10 in the new style), was an important holiday, especially for women. On this day, the peasants began to knead new flax, which symbolized the beginning of autumn-winter work. The first threshed bundle of flax, called "pervina", was consecrated in the church and attached to the icon of St. Paraskeva, believing that this would bring good luck in work and in life.

Women did not do heavy physical work that day: they did not spin, sew, wash, wash floors, or bathe children. It was believed that doing these jobs could bring disaster and misfortune. It was also forbidden to borrow money on this day, as it was believed that this could lead to poverty.

In some regions, there were special customs associated with addressing Saint Paraskeva. For example, women prayed to her for a happy marriage, an easy birth, and the health of their children. She was also approached for illnesses, especially those of children, asking for healing and protection.

Paraskeva Friday: what not to do on October 28

On October 28, the feast day of St. Paraskeva Friday, there were strict prohibitions and customs among the people, the observance of which was considered necessary to preserve well-being and good luck in the house. On this day, it was strictly forbidden to engage in spinning, sewing, knitting, embroidery, washing and other types of women's needlework.

It was also not recommended to wash floors and bathe children, especially sick ones, as it was believed that this could lead to illness or misfortune. Heavy physical work was forbidden, especially in the fields and gardens, as well as borrowing and lending money in order not to give away their happiness.

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On this day, it was forbidden to quarrel, slander, gossip, condemn and envy, as it was believed that this attracts trouble, as well as to speak ill of the dead, as it prevents their souls from finding peace. Folk signs related to the weather helped predict the coming winter and harvest: thick morning fog foreshadowed a thaw, frost on the trees foreshadowed frost, snow spoke of a good harvest next year, and if the insects had not yet hidden, a warm winter was expected.

Observance of these prohibitions and customs was considered a guarantee of harmony in the home, health and well-being of the family, as well as a way to maintain contact with ancestors and respect for traditions. Paraskeva Friday, therefore, is not only a church holiday, but also an important part of folk culture, which reflects respect for women's work, family values and natural cycles.