Saint Parascheva’s RELICS

Over a million persons come every year, from our country and from abroad, to worship Saint Parascheva’s Relics.

Saint Parascheva was born in the village Epivat in Eastern Tracia, at the beginning of the XI-th century, in a family who believed in God. Then, by the age of 15, she dedicated herself to the monachal life. Currently, she is recognized mostly by the Orthodox Churches from Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Russia and Serbia.

Saint Parascheva’s relics were brought toIasi in 1641, during the reign of the ruler Vasile Lupu, and they were exposed inthe Church of the Three Hierarchs (Trei Ierarhi Church). People also call her Saint Friday.

Saint Parascheva is considered the Protector of Moldavia and Bucovina, being the most popular of all the Saints whose relics are in Romania. Christians believe in the miraculous powers of the relics.

Every year, on the celebration of Pious Saint Parascheva, the shrine with her relics is carried out of the church and they are exposed on the esplanade of the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Saint Parascheva’s Dedication Day – 13 October

Saint Parascheva’s Dedication Day and at the same time, the Feast of theMetropolitan Cathedral in Iasi, has become, these last 15 years, an important Christian manifestation for the region of Moldavia. On this occasion arrive in Iasi, in pilgrimage, about 1 million pilgrims, most of them waiting for hours in a line which covers 2-3 kilometers in order to reach the relics of the Saint and pray.

Generally, on the 12th of October the holly relics are brought out of the church and they are exposed on the esplanade of the Metropolitan Cathedral. Then, on the 13th of October, the feast day, a procession is being organised on the streets nearby.

Pilgrims on the Pious Saint Parascheva’s relics.

During the last years, besides the relics of Saint Parascheva, there have also been brought here the relics of other important Saints such as: Saint Ioan Gura de Aur, Saint Nectarie of Eghinaand those of Saint Andrew. After the procession, the reliquary is exposed again in the courtyard of the Metropolitan Cathedral in order to allow the pilgrims to pray.
Also, after the Feast’s religious service, the City Hall of Iasi organizes a lunch for the pilgrims, where they serve traditional meals.

Pilgrims waiting in a line to see Pious Saint Parascheva’s relics.

The relics of Saint Parascheva and Ioan Gura de Aur.