0742 St Parasceva

Russian,
18th cent. 25x22x3 cms

There are three Saints called “Parasceva” and over time their profiles have become entwined. The most famous is the 4th century saint, St Parasceva of Iconium. She was martyred by Emperor Diocletion after being cruelly tortured because she refused to recant her faith. Here St Paraseva is seen holding an opened scroll inscribed with the words of The Creed: articles of faith she refused to surrender. She is the most popular of the Orthodox female saints. In part this is because her name, in Greek,  means “preparation” and “Friday”. This creates a clear association with the commemoration of Easter and its promise of a second coming.