Saint Parasceva of Rome

Biography

Saint Parasceva of Rome, also known as Saint Paraskevi or Saint Parascheva, was born to the wealthy Christian couple, Politea and Agathon, after fervent prayers for a child. She displayed an extraordinary passion for learning and received an education that was uncommon for girls in her time.

When Saint Parasceva's parents passed away, she selflessly gave away all her possessions to the poor and embarked on a life as an itinerant preacher. During a period of intense persecution by both Roman and Jewish authorities, she fearlessly spread the teachings of Christianity, leading numerous individuals to embrace the faith.

Saint Parasceva's unwavering dedication to her beliefs led to her arrest for her faith and her remarkable success in converting others during the persecutions under Antoninus Pius. Despite enduring horrific torture in an effort to make her renounce her faith, she firmly refused to yield.

In a harrowing event, Saint Parasceva was unjustly thrown into a vat of boiling oil, but she miraculously stood unscathed within it. Astonished, the emperor questioned whether she had used magic to cool the oil. In response, she scooped up a handful and threw it into the emperor's eyes, causing him severe burns and blindness. However, when she invoked the name of Jesus, the emperor was immediately healed. This extraordinary miracle moved Antoninus to cease the persecution of Christians until his death in 161 CE.

Undeterred, Saint Parasceva resumed her preaching after Antoninus' passing, but under the rule of Marcus Aurelius, the Christians once again faced persecution in Imperial Rome. The governor, Asclepius, subjected her to further persecution by throwing her into a pit filled with a poisonous snake. In a display of unwavering faith, she made the sign of the cross over the serpent, which miraculously split in two, as though cut by a sword. Witnessing this extraordinary event, the governor and many in his court converted to Christianity.

Subsequently brought before the governor Tarasios, Saint Parasceva fearlessly continued to preach despite enduring further torture. She responded to each question or order with the single word, "Christ." Eventually, her tormentors recognized her indomitable spirit and gave up their attempts to break her. Saint Parasceva was ultimately martyred for her faith.

Saint Parasceva of Rome is venerated as the patron saint of blind people. Her relics were taken to Constantinople after her beheading in 180 CE. She is widely revered, with her feast day celebrated on 26 July. Additionally, another feast day commemorates the translation of her relics on 14 November. While her representation may vary, her profound devotion to God and the miracles attributed to her continue to inspire believers around the world. Saint Parasceva of Rome was canonized before the era of formal canonization processes.