{"id":1591,"date":"2026-11-05T20:00:03","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T01:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/?post_type=akathist&#038;p=1591"},"modified":"2026-11-05T20:00:03","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T01:00:03","slug":"akathist-great-martyr-paraskevi-iconium","status":"publish","type":"akathist","link":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/mk\/akathists\/akathist-great-martyr-paraskevi-iconium\/","title":{"rendered":"Akathist to the Holy Great Martyr Paraskevi of Iconium"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"of-akathist\">\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 1<\/h3><p>Chosen bride of Christ, you loved Him from your youth and gave Him your whole life as a holy offering, O Great Martyr Paraskevi. We who honor your memory offer you a song of praise. Pray to the Lord for us, that we may love Him as you loved Him, and may cry to you:<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 1<\/h3><p>You were born in Iconium of Lycaonia, the city where the Apostle Paul once preached, to Christian parents who honored the day of the Lord\u2019s Passion with prayer and fasting. For this reason, they named you Paraskevi, which means Friday, and so we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, child of the city of Iconium;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Apostle Paul preached in your land;<\/li><li>Rejoice, fruit of a faithful household;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your name recalls the Passion of Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were named for the day of the Cross;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you loved the Cross from childhood;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your parents taught you to fast and pray;<\/li><li>Rejoice, blossom of Lycaonia;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 2<\/h3><p>From your youth, you dedicated your virginity to Christ and desired no other bridegroom. You kept your soul and body pure for Him, and you sang with the wise virgins: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 2<\/h3><p>When your parents departed this life, you used your inheritance to care for the poor and the orphans, laying up treasure in heaven. Seeing your love for the least of Christ\u2019s brethren, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you dedicated your virginity to Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you desired no other bridegroom;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you kept your lamp burning;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you gave your inheritance to the poor;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you cared for orphans;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you laid up treasure in heaven;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you served Christ in the needy;<\/li><li>Rejoice, wise virgin of the Lord;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 3<\/h3><p>You did not hide your faith, but spoke boldly of Christ to the pagans of Iconium, and many turned from idols to the living God. Seeing the light of the Gospel spread, the faithful sang: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 3<\/h3><p>Your preaching was simple and full of love, and your life confirmed your words, so that the people saw in you a living image of the Gospel. Rejoicing in your apostolic zeal, we cry to you:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you confessed Christ without fear;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you taught the pagans of Iconium;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for many turned from idols at your words;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your life confirmed your preaching;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you followed the example of Thekla;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you brought souls to Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were a light in the darkness;<\/li><li>Rejoice, herald of the Gospel;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 4<\/h3><p>In the days of the persecution, you were denounced as a Christian and brought before the governor. You stood before him without fear, confessing that Christ is the true God, and you sang in your heart: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 4<\/h3><p>The governor tried to persuade you with promises and threats to offer sacrifice to the idols, but you answered, \u201cI will not deny my Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d Marveling at your courage, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you stood before the governor without fear;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you rejected the promises of the world;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you despised the threats of tyrants;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you would not deny your Lord;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you refused to offer to idols;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Holy Spirit gave you words;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your confession shamed the persecutors;<\/li><li>Rejoice, bold confessor;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 5<\/h3><p>The torturers stretched you on the rack and tore your body with iron hooks, but you prayed to Christ and endured with patience. The Lord strengthened you in your sufferings, and you sang to Him: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 5<\/h3><p>When you were cast into prison, wounded and broken, the Lord comforted you in the darkness and healed your wounds, so that your torturers were amazed. Giving glory to God, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you endured the rack with patience;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for iron hooks could not break your faith;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you prayed in the midst of torment;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Lord comforted you in prison;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for He healed your wounds by His grace;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your torturers were amazed;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your patience conquered cruelty;<\/li><li>Rejoice, unconquered martyr;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 6<\/h3><p>Your sufferings were long and terrible, yet the grace of God made you stronger than your tormentors. Many who saw your endurance believed in Christ, and they sang: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 6<\/h3><p>At last, the governor commanded that you be beheaded with the sword, and you went to your death with joy, giving thanks to God. Your soul flew to your heavenly Bridegroom, and so we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for many believed when they saw your endurance;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were stronger than your tormentors;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you went to your death with joy;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were beheaded for Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you gave thanks to God at the end;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your soul flew to the Bridegroom;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you received the crown of victory;<\/li><li>Rejoice, bride adorned with martyr\u2019s blood;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 7<\/h3><p>The Christians buried your holy body with honor, and the Lord worked many wonders at your tomb. Your memory spread through all the Churches, and the faithful sang: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 7<\/h3><p>In the land of Rus\u2019, you were loved as Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, and many churches and wayside shrines were dedicated to you. The people honored your memory on Fridays and asked your prayers for their families, their fields and their labors, and so we cry to you:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for the Lord glorified your tomb with wonders;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your memory spread through the Churches;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for Rus\u2019 loved you as Paraskeva Pyatnitsa;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for many churches bear your name;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for wayside shrines were built in your honor;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the people asked your prayers for their families;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you are remembered in the fields and markets;<\/li><li>Rejoice, beloved saint of the Slavs;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 8<\/h3><p>Your icons show you in a red garment, holding a cross, a sign of your martyrdom and of your love for the Passion of Christ. Venerating your holy image, the faithful sing to God: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 8<\/h3><p>Women in their labors, mothers with their children and those who work with their hands have called on your prayers, for you loved the poor and the toilers. Asking your intercession in our daily work, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for your icon shows you in red;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you hold the cross of Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, intercessor for women and mothers;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you pray for those who labor;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you are near to the toilers of the earth;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you bless the work of our hands;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you teach us to sanctify our labor;<\/li><li>Rejoice, friend of the humble;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 9<\/h3><p>The angels marveled that a young woman could endure such sufferings for Christ, and they glorified God, who perfects His strength in weakness. With them, we sing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 9<\/h3><p>The wise of this world cannot understand how a maiden could prefer death to the denial of Christ, for they do not know the love that is stronger than death. Proclaiming that love, we cry to you:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for God\u2019s strength was made perfect in your weakness;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your love was stronger than death;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you confound the wisdom of the world;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you show the beauty of faithfulness;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you call us to love Christ above all;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you teach us courage in trials;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you inspire virgins and martyrs;<\/li><li>Rejoice, example for all women;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 10<\/h3><p>Desiring the salvation of all, the Lord gives us His saints as examples and intercessors. You remind us every Friday of the Passion of Christ, and you call us to take up our cross, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 10<\/h3><p>Your name teaches us to remember each Friday the death of Christ on the Cross for our salvation, and to keep that day with prayer, fasting and works of mercy. Learning from your name, we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, for you remind us of the day of the Cross;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you teach us to keep Friday holy;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you call us to fasting and prayer;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you lead us to works of mercy;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you point us to the Passion of Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you show us the joy of the Resurrection;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your name is a sermon on the Cross;<\/li><li>Rejoice, teacher of holy days;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 11<\/h3><p>Every hymn is too weak to praise your love for Christ, O holy Paraskevi, for you gave Him your youth, your wealth and your life. Receive our song with love, as we sing to God: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 11<\/h3><p>You are a lamp shining for all who struggle to keep their faith in a hostile world, for you showed that Christ is worth more than everything. Calling on your prayers, we cry out:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, lamp for those who struggle;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you kept the faith in a hostile world;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you show that Christ is worth all;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you encourage the persecuted;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you comfort the suffering;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you pray for the sick;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you are near to all who love you;<\/li><li>Rejoice, joy of the faithful;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 12<\/h3><p>The grace of God works through your prayers, and many who have called on you in their needs have been comforted. Glorifying the Lord who is wondrous in His saints, we sing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 12<\/h3><p>Singing of your victory, we praise Christ, your Bridegroom, who crowned you with glory. We honor your purity, your mercy and your courage, and we cry to you:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, bride of Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, great martyr of Iconium;<\/li><li>Rejoice, virgin pure and undefiled;<\/li><li>Rejoice, friend of the poor;<\/li><li>Rejoice, bold confessor of the faith;<\/li><li>Rejoice, beloved saint of Rus\u2019;<\/li><li>Rejoice, intercessor for families;<\/li><li>Rejoice, glory of the martyrs;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 13<\/h3><p>O holy and glorious Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ, receive this our offering of praise. Pray to the Lord for us, that He may strengthen our faith, bless our families and our labors, and grant us to stand with you in His Kingdom, singing: Alleluia!<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-rubric\">This kontakion is said three times.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Ikos 1 (repeated)<\/h3><p>You were born in Iconium of Lycaonia, the city where the Apostle Paul once preached, to Christian parents who honored the day of the Lord\u2019s Passion with prayer and fasting. For this reason, they named you Paraskevi, which means Friday, and so we sing:<\/p><ul class=\"ak-rejoice\"><li>Rejoice, child of the city of Iconium;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for the Apostle Paul preached in your land;<\/li><li>Rejoice, fruit of a faithful household;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your name recalls the Passion of Christ;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you were named for the day of the Cross;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for you loved the Cross from childhood;<\/li><li>Rejoice, for your parents taught you to fast and pray;<\/li><li>Rejoice, blossom of Lycaonia;<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ak-label\">Kontakion 1 (repeated)<\/h3><p>Chosen bride of Christ, you loved Him from your youth and gave Him your whole life as a holy offering, O Great Martyr Paraskevi. We who honor your memory offer you a song of praise. Pray to the Lord for us, that we may love Him as you loved Him, and may cry to you:<\/p>\n<p class=\"ak-refrain\">Rejoice, holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ and joy of the faithful!<\/p>\n<hr class=\"ak-rule\"><h3 class=\"ak-label\">Prayer<\/h3><p>O holy Great Martyr Paraskevi, bride of Christ, you who were named for the day of His Passion and who loved Him even unto death, we come to you with faith and ask your prayers.<\/p><p>Pray to Christ our God for our families, that He may keep them in love and peace; for mothers and children, that He may watch over them; and for all who labor with their hands, that He may bless their work. Pray for the sick and the sorrowing, that the Lord may comfort and heal them. Help us, by your example, to remember the Cross of Christ each Friday, to give to the poor, and to keep our faith with courage.<\/p><p>Through your prayers, may the Lord grant us purity of heart and a peaceful end, so that with you we may glorify the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Holy Great Martyr Paraskevi of Iconium, called Pyatnitsa<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","liturgical_season":[],"class_list":["post-1591","akathist","type-akathist","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/mk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1591","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/mk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/mk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/akathist"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/mk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1591\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1629,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/mk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/akathist\/1591\/revisions\/1629"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/mk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"liturgical_season","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodox.faith\/mk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/liturgical_season?post=1591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}