“I thank You, that You have vouchsafed me to imitate Your Passion.” – The Prayer of Saint Paraskevi before her Martyrdom

…she Prayed:

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son and Logos of the Immortal Father, Who for our Salvation came down from the Heavens to Earth, I thank You, that You have vouchsafed me to imitate Your Passion. I sing Hymns of Praise to You for having empowered me to suffer Martyrdom for Your Love. Do you vouchsafe me also Your Kingdom, even as I endured torments for Your Love? Also, do You my God glorify me in Your Kingdom? Receive the Soul of Your lowly one and grant rest and refreshment to it with Your Wise Virgins. Taking courage in Your Great Glory I have endured all manner of punishment and torture, hoping in the wealth of Thy recompense, I desire to receive death. Therefore account me worthy of a place among the Choir of Thy Sanctified Martyrs. Furthermore, O Lord, Who loves mankind, remember those that invoke Your Holy Name through me, Your handmaid, in times of sorrow. Remember those that Celebrate the Memory of my Repose. Render unto them the wealth of Your Gifts. Hearken unto their Prayer in the day of entreaty accomplishing their Soul-saving requests so that they may Glorify Your Holy Name that is Blessed unto the ages.”

Saint Paraskevi was finally beheaded, and she received the Crown of Martyrdom and joined her beloved Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in His Heavenly Kingdom in the Year 140.

As the sword was raised above her head, Saint Paraskevi held onto an old stone pillar. She grabbed it so tightly that her hands left imprints in the stone. The stone pillar is now half its original size as visitors to the Church of Saint Paraskevi would hack off bits of the stone to keep them as a Blessing.

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