Saint Parascheva of Iași

Life

She was born about a thousand years ago, in Thrace, near Constantinople, from a wealthy and devout family. From childhood she had an unusual pity for the destitute. It is told that she would give the clothes off her back to the poor she met, to the distress of her parents — but her heart could do no otherwise.

When she grew up, she left everything and departed towards a life of prayer. She went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Places, lived for years as a hermit in the Jordan desert, in fasting and vigil, then returned homewards. She fell asleep young, at only about twenty-seven years old, unknown by the world.

But God willed to reveal her. Her relics were discovered incorrupt and began to work miracles. Throughout the centuries they were moved from one place to another — through Bulgaria, Belgrade, Constantinople — until, in 1641, ruler Vasile Lupu brought them to Iași. There they remain today, in the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Saint Parascheva is the protector of Moldavia and one of the most beloved saints of our nation. Every year, on October 14, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims stand in line for hours on end, in rain and cold, just to venerate her shrine. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the whole country — a river of people coming to ask for her help and to thank her.

Prayer (in simple words)

Holy Venerable Parascheva, you who could not pass by a person in need without giving from your little, teach my heart too not to close itself to another's need. You who left everything for a life of prayer in silence, unknown to the world, help me not to seek glory, but only closeness to God. And you, before whose shrine hundreds of thousands of people come each year, in rain or frost, carry my prayer too before God, as that of a pilgrim who never tires of asking for your help. Amen.

Akathist

Prayers which are read before any Akathist

Kontakion 1

To our most Venerable Mother, the most merciful Parascheva, an offering of compunction we bring, we unworthy sinners, for her intercessions. For we have been vouchsafed to obtain great gifts from the ever-flowing fountain of goodness of our Saviour, and to sing to her: Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Oikos 1

The angels in heaven, receiving with praises your virgin soul from earthly dwellings, crowned you with joy for your merits; for bearing a woman’s body and a frail nature, you knew how to conquer all the powers of the enemies through good wisdom; therefore we sing to you:

Rejoice, wise virgin;
Rejoice, speaking dove;
Rejoice, angelic soul in a virgin body;
Rejoice, worthy intercessor before the Lord;
Rejoice, comfort of people;
Rejoice, relief from suffering;
Rejoice, our firm hope;
Rejoice, strengthening of the faithful;
Rejoice, calm and untroubled haven;
Rejoice, example of good piety;
Rejoice, enlightenment of the foolish;
Rejoice, refuge of the despairing;
Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Kontakion 2

Thus the King of all rewards the victories. Thus the invisible hand of providence strengthens the human race, embracing with faith what is ordained by it for salvation. Therefore let us depart from lawlessness; how long shall we abide in sins? O Lord, strengthen our hearts that we may sing to You in good deeds the angelic song: Alleluia!

Oikos 2

Most honored virgin, to you we have fled, to you who many times have taken saints and angels as help in earthly temptations; be now also a swift helper for us, for you have been vouchsafed to enter into the house of the Bridegroom with the bright lamp, as the Saviour Christ guided us, and accept this song:

Rejoice, priceless pearl of our treasury;
Rejoice, unfading flower of the Church of Christ;
Rejoice, unshaken foundation of Christianity;
Rejoice, endower of virgins and supplicant to the Mother of God;
Rejoice, hearer of pious priests;
Rejoice, swift helper of strangers;
Rejoice, fervent comforter of the persecuted;
Rejoice, merciful guide of widows;
Rejoice, conqueror of enemies;
Rejoice, deliverance of all who call you for help;
Rejoice, great helper of souls;
Rejoice, healer of wounds of bodies;
Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Kontakion 3

In you we always hope; from many illnesses and dangers this land has been delivered, soothing and turning the justly kindled wrath upon us from God into good and merciful compassion, through your prayers; but also now, terrified by great calamities, we flee to you with tears, that you may help us, so that we may escape dangers and sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 3

Epivata, seeing the praise of her land springing forth from her own, joyfully met you, O Venerable One, confessing you with great piety; but we, who later were vouchsafed to obtain your relics, how shall we be able to sufficiently proclaim the wonders you have wrought, if we do not sing these things:

Rejoice, enlightener of Moldavia;
Rejoice, supporter of Epivata;
Rejoice, teacher of your parents;
Rejoice, you who did not gather earthly riches;
Rejoice, gatherer of heavenly gifts;
Rejoice, you who did not receive costly garments;
Rejoice, honorer of the garment of humility;
Rejoice, corrector of pride;
Rejoice, honorer of virginity;
Rejoice, supporter of the elderly;
Rejoice, condemner of enemies;
Rejoice, merciful one to the poor;
Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Kontakion 4

Most pure Virgin Mary, Mother of God, accept also our due prayers from us unworthy ones, which through our holy intercessor we bring to you for the forgiveness of sins, and grant us peace and great mercy from your Son, to whom we unceasingly sing: Alleluia!

Oikos 4

To her who worthily and with faith followed the word of God, who for good piety received the gift of healings and heavenly reward, by the voice of the Saviour saying: good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord, we bring this song:

Rejoice, unfallen seed;
Rejoice, untiring body;
Rejoice, spiritual food;
Rejoice, refined gold;
Rejoice, burning fire for chaff;
Rejoice, land of plenty;
Rejoice, fruit of repentance;
Rejoice, tamer of evil thoughts;
Rejoice, scatterer of storms;
Rejoice, bringer of manna;
Rejoice, giver of consolations;
Rejoice, intercessor of all Christians before the Lord;
Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Kontakion 5

Wearied by the toil of worldly thoughts, we have awakened now, we wretches, weeping, for we have nowhere to extend our hopes according to our deeds to find rest, doing no work worthy of salvation and fearing the cutting down like the unfruitful fig tree, we fall before you weeping, holy Parascheva, and cry out: have mercy on us, that together with you we may sing to God the song of salvation: Alleluia!

Oikos 5

Who will not call you blessed, O Venerable One, that you were vouchsafed to quell through your struggles the wantonness of the body and to obtain salvation of soul with the honor not taken by human hands of heavenly glory? Or who will not call you blessed that you penetrated through your courageous mind the deceitful wiles of the wicked one, and put him to shame? Therefore, accept the following song:

Rejoice, tower of victory;
Rejoice, gate of salvation;
Rejoice, shield of faith;
Rejoice, dwelling of steadfastness;
Rejoice, image of good things;
Rejoice, defense of the venerable cross;
Rejoice, worthy worshipper of it;
Rejoice, for through its help you were victorious;
Rejoice, for through it you became a follower of Christ;
Rejoice, beautiful pillar of victory;
Rejoice, conqueror of the dominion of hell;
Rejoice, inheritor of heavenly glory;
Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Kontakion 6

But how shall we sing more worthily or with what words shall we praise the majesty of your deeds, we unworthy ones? For neither deeds nor faith draw us near to your most honored labours; but confessing our weakness, we pray you to help us and to intercede before God that He may accept the song: Alleluia!

Oikos 6

Ineffable pains have now encompassed us, no human help from anyone do we expect, all have suddenly forsaken us, even the pleasures that once delighted us now fight against us; woe to our wretchedness, we have no other hope except the mercy of God and your holy help. Therefore, we pray you to help us, healing us, that we may sing to you:

Rejoice, remedy of pain;
Rejoice, hand of healing;
Rejoice, house of protection;
Rejoice, ray of comfort;
Rejoice, tent of sufficiency;
Rejoice, dew of fervor;
Rejoice, deliverance from illnesses;
Rejoice, refuge of the terrified;
Rejoice, expeller of harms;
Rejoice, unsleeping watcher;
Rejoice, bright star;
Rejoice, saving ladder;
Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Kontakion 7

Lord, visit and heal Your servants who are seized by pain, says the Venerable One, praying unceasingly, for they have no support nor comfort. But the days are hard, and because we have been saved, let us rejoice and fall down before God, repenting and singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 7

Our lawlessness, the multitude of injustices we have caused to our neighbour, today condemns us and we know not what we shall answer going to judgment, where all persecute us, all rise up against us to oppress us; but you, O most good Mother, who hear our confession, intercede before the Lord to change the state of our condemnation into good things, removing from the hearts of our enemies all hatred, and we will glorify you with praises such as these:

Rejoice, intercessor of those who have erred;
Rejoice, helper of the oppressed;
Rejoice, corrector of evil judges;
Rejoice, vindicator of the slandered;
Rejoice, refuge of those judged and condemned;
Rejoice, cessation of passions;
Rejoice, non-supporter of those who seek only their own profit;
Rejoice, non-vengeance of crafty intercessors;
Rejoice, appeaser of the powerful;
Rejoice, relief of the weak;
Rejoice, destroyer of evils;
Rejoice, source of mercy;
Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Kontakion 8

Saying these things, we are calmed, we rejoice and are glad; let our souls leap for joy, for our enemies will not mock us. Our God will not forsake us to the end, for your prayers, O Venerable One, but sending His mercy upon the people, as is His custom, we also, the unworthy, will partake with it of His good things, with which together we will sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 8

To all we will tell of your wonders, aloud we will sing of your feast, according to the duty of the community which brings thanksgiving to you: glory to your praise, glory to the long-suffering with which you have been crowned, struggling through faith, glory to the deed steadfastly followed after the example of the Lover of mankind; for these things, we say to you:

Rejoice, spiritual bride;
Rejoice, crown of truth;
Rejoice, staff of victory;
Rejoice, glory of monastics;
Rejoice, guide of the community;
Rejoice, honorer of venerable women;
Rejoice, guardian of hermits;
Rejoice, remembrance of ages;
Rejoice, proclaimer of right faith;
Rejoice, destroyer of heresies;
Rejoice, attainment of divine glory;
Rejoice, follower of the heavenly Word;
Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Kontakion 9

The holy helper of those who are in needs, let us all with joy praise, the honored Parascheva, for she has taken incorruptible life forever; therefore she has found glory and the gift of wonders, by the command of God, singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 9

The evil-thinkers, being rebuked through you, are terrified seeing the glory of God, prepared for man far from sins, shining in you, seeing the incomprehensible mystery of the image of glory, upon you, O Venerable One, that today it shines bringing to the faithful gifts of healings; therefore, they have been put to shame, repenting, and we have rejoiced, singing to you:

Rejoice, our deliverer;
Rejoice, guide;
Rejoice, corrector;
Rejoice, expeller of evils;
Rejoice, bringer of good fragrance;
Rejoice, poisoner of beasts;
Rejoice, destroyer of insects;
Rejoice, protection from phantoms;
Rejoice, scatterer of hail;
Rejoice, bringer of fruitful rains;
Rejoice, giver of abundance of good fruits;
Rejoice, joy of ploughmen;
Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Kontakion 10

Never will we cease to proclaim your wonders, O Venerable One, for if you had not stood, praying for this land which you guard with your most pure relics, who would have delivered us from so many dangers, or who would have eased us from the illnesses which have come upon us, for our many sins? Therefore together with you we sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 10

The walls of your parents’ house were not strong nor sufficient to stop you from the greatness of the decision you made, promising to embrace monastic life; therefore also departing from all delight and worldly pleasures, the costly garment with that of a beggar, coming from church, you exchanged, leaving your parents who rebuked you with reproaches for such a departure. So with humility obtaining the highest things, from all you hear:

Rejoice, rose untouched by the worm of pride;
Rejoice, lily planted in the garden above;
Rejoice, bed of innocence;
Rejoice, throne of dominions;
Rejoice, sceptre of those who rule;
Rejoice, untiring protectress;
Rejoice, undaunted defender;
Rejoice, rebuker of those who tempt us;
Rejoice, honorer of those who show mercy to us;
Rejoice, strengthener of those who serve us;
Rejoice, enlightener of those who comfort us;
Rejoice, co-worker with those who feed us;
Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Kontakion 11

We are full of sins, O merciful Lord, and our souls struggle grievously thinking of the judgment, for what shall we sinners do, when the unforeseen end suddenly overwhelms us? We ask for mercy, O Lord, mercy, O our Christ, for we have no means of correction; do not overlook our prayers and repentance, which every hour after sins has seized us, and accept as a pledge of our good will and fear of You, this prayer, besides which we bring as intercessor also our Mother Parascheva, singing with her together: Alleluia!

Oikos 11

Many sinners before us have obtained their salvation by humbling themselves. How, then, shall we depart from this hope? To you, however, we flee, O Venerable Mother, and we will not be put to shame, you not departing from us as from that sinner who was buried near you without his unworthiness being known and for whom you asked through a vision that his corrupt body be moved away from your relics. Therefore we pray, accept our prayers and tears, interceding for the forgiveness of our sins, for we sing to you:

Rejoice, lofty humility;
Rejoice, undefiled virgin;
Rejoice, inexhaustible treasure;
Rejoice, most praised mother;
Rejoice, humble salvation;
Rejoice, praise of the honored;
Rejoice, comfort of the unfortunate;
Rejoice, guide of the erring;
Rejoice, my good counsellor;
Rejoice, most gentle corrector;
Rejoice, joy of souls;
Rejoice, swift helper;
Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Kontakion 12

Ineffable is our comfort, beholding you dwelling with us, as a gift of God sent to this land; for from what illnesses have we been seized and you have not healed us; in what sorrows and you have not gladdened us; how many times lacking, persecuted and in wars and you have helped us, in everything fulfilling the word of the Saviour from His Gospel! Therefore, with humility obtaining the most high right hand at the throne of glory, we sing to you: Rejoice! and to God the heavenly praise: Alleluia!

Oikos 12

Deliver us, Mother, from locusts, from beetles and from all evil; deliver us, Mother, from fire, from hail and from lightning; deliver us, Mother, from eternal torment and from the hour of condemnation and vouchsafe us to obtain through your prayers the state at the right hand on the day of judgment, through the salvation of our souls, protecting and nourishing us in peace until the last breath, that we may sing to you:

Rejoice, spiritual lute;
Rejoice, apostolic trumpet;
Rejoice, bright lamp;
Rejoice, heavenly ray;
Rejoice, hope of people;
Rejoice, expulsion of demons;
Rejoice, healing of wounds;
Rejoice, protector from evils;
Rejoice, bringer of good things;
Rejoice, domestic enlightener of Moldavia;
Rejoice, deliverer of Basil the Voivode and of other benefactors;
Rejoice, supporter also of me, the humble sinner;
Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Kontakion 13

We worship God and honor your holy relics, O Venerable Mother Parascheva, proclaiming with glory and songs all your wonders which through the grace of God and for our salvation we have obtained; receive favorably our prayer, O holy one, and hasten always to help us that we may sing with joy your deeds and the glory of God: Alleluia! (This kontakion is said three times)

Then Oikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are said

Oikos 1

The angels in heaven, receiving with praises your virgin soul from earthly dwellings, crowned you with joy for your merits; for bearing a woman’s body and a frail nature, you knew how to conquer all the powers of the enemies through good wisdom; therefore we sing to you:

Rejoice, wise virgin;
Rejoice, speaking dove;
Rejoice, angelic soul in a virgin body;
Rejoice, worthy intercessor before the Lord;
Rejoice, comfort of people;
Rejoice, relief from suffering;
Rejoice, our firm hope;
Rejoice, strengthening of the faithful;
Rejoice, calm and untroubled haven;
Rejoice, example of good piety;
Rejoice, enlightenment of the foolish;
Rejoice, refuge of the despairing;
Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Kontakion 1

To our most Venerable Mother, the most merciful Parascheva, an offering of compunction we bring, we unworthy sinners, for her intercessions. For we have been vouchsafed to obtain great gifts from the ever-flowing fountain of goodness of our Saviour, and to sing to her: Rejoice, holy Parascheva, greatly helpful!

Prayer to the Holy Venerable Parascheva

O Lord our God, You, who spoke and all creation was made, do not turn Your face away from us sinners, lest the terrible and fearsome wrath of pains come upon us, which is the fruit of our sins, which every day, countless, we carelessly commit. We are sinners, unworthy and full of evil; but You are the fountain of life and mercy. Forsake us not, O Lord! Do not pass over our prayer, of sinners, nor repay us according to our lawlessness, but because we are not worthy to obtain mercy through daily diligence, grant it to us as a compassionate and most merciful One.

O Lord, for the prayers of our Venerable Mother Parascheva, grant us health and a life protected from all evil, and strengthen us with Your sovereign Spirit, that from the depths of our hearts, with joy we may glorify Your most holy name forever. Amen.

Source: Doxologia.ro. Prayer text taken from public Orthodox sources; rights remain with their authors and translators. Devotional, non-commercial use. May be removed on request.