Saint Paraskeva Icon – The Gilded Shield of the Holy Mother - (29 x 23 cm)

Patron and Comforter

• Saint Paraskeva is the embodiment of conscious sacrifice and total devotion to God. Her significance in the home is a reminder of the importance of inner beauty and the power of silent but persistent prayer.
   

• Spiritual Feat: Paraskeva left the wealth of Epivatos to live in the desert, where the only sound was the whisper of her prayers, and her only nourishment was the grace of the Holy Spirit.
   

• Message to the Household: She teaches us patience and mercy. Her presence in the home brings a blessing of peace, especially watching over mothers, and represents the safest refuge in times of sorrow.

Craftsmanship & Materials

• Premium Gold Finish: This icon features refined relief work with gold tones, highlighting the black monastic habit and the cross—symbols of Paraskeva’s triumph over temptation.
   

• Canonical Accuracy: The artistry strictly follows Orthodox iconography, portraying the Saint with a gentle and enlightened countenance that brings instant serenity to any space.
   

• Diaspora Heritage: Handcrafted by Serbian artists, it serves as a powerful link to spiritual roots for families in the USA, Canada, and Australia.
   

• Solid Wood: The use of premium solid wood and high-quality protective coatings ensures this icon remains a vibrant centerpiece for generations.

Saint Paraskeva

Saint Paraskeva is a historical figure whose relics followed one of the most extraordinary paths in Christian history. She lived in the 11th century, and after her death in her native Epivatos, her body was found incorrupt, sparking a centuries-long quest by rulers for her blessing. A fascinating historical fact is that her relics were often pledges of peace and power—traveling from Constantinople to Tarnovo, before Princess Milica requested them from Sultan Bayezid in 1398 and brought them to Belgrade.

It is believed that her presence at Kalemegdan (in the Ružica Church and the Chapel of St. Petka) served as Belgrade's spiritual shield for centuries. Even after the city's fall in 1521, when they were taken back to Constantinople, Serbs continued to pilgrimage to them until 1641, when they were moved to Iași, Romania, where they rest today. History remembers her as the "Mother of the Faithful" who unites the peoples of the Balkans. The icon in your home serves as a reminder that true beauty and power are hidden in silence and endurance—it teaches us that grace is stronger than all migrations and wars, preserving the peace of the Christian home as an inextinguishable lamp through the centuries.

International Designations

USA / Canada / UK / Australia: Saint Paraskeva / St. Petka of the Balkans – Gilded Icon, Serbia / Montenegro / Bosnia: Prepodobna mati Paraskeva (Sveta Petka), Serbia / Montenegro / Bosnia: Prepodobna mati Paraskeva (Sveta Petka), Greece / Cyprus: Agia Paraskevi i Epivatini (Αγία Παρασκευή η Επιβατινή), Russia / Ukraine / Belarus: Prepodobnaya Paraskeva Serbskaya (Преподобная Параскева Сербская), Germany / Austria: Hl. Paraskeva von dem Balkan – Vergoldete Ikone, Romania: Sfânta Cuvioasă Parascheva de la Iaș

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