St Paraskeva (Petka) of Serbia

Paraskeva, known affectionately among the South Slavs as Petka, was born at Epivatos in Thrace, near Constantinople, to pious parents. Moved from her youth by the Gospel words about giving to the poor, she gave away her possessions and secretly left home, embracing an ascetic life. She lived for years in prayer and severe fasting in the Jordan desert, before an angel directed her to return to her homeland, where she reposed in peace. Her incorrupt relics were later found and glorified by miracles, and their journeys trace the history of the Balkans: they were translated to Tarnovo in Bulgaria, then to Belgrade in Serbia, then to Constantinople, and finally in 1641 to Iasi in Romania, where they rest today. She is one of the most beloved saints of Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova, venerated as a protectress of the home and of the poor.