Double Processional Icon Of Saint Paraskewa And Her Mandylion

This Orthodox icon depicts Saint Paraskeva Pyatnitsa. Her name, derived from the Greek word paraskevi, means "preparation" (for the Sabbath) and translates as "Friday." She is a great martyr venerated in the Orthodox Church, often associated with the day of Christ's Crucifixion. The saint is clearly identified by the Cyrillic inscriptions on either side of her head, which read approximately as "Saint Paraskeva." She is usually portrayed as a tall woman with a stern, ascetic face, wearing a bright red maforii (veil) that symbolizes both the Passions of Christ and her own martyrdom. A crown (or halo) is present above her head, supported by angels, indicating her status as a royal martyr or great martyr. She holds a scroll (or sometimes a cross), which often contains the Symbol of Faith, as in this depiction. Her right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing or prayer. Saint Paraskeva is often invoked as the patron saint of domestic affairs, commerce, and harvests. She is prayed to for protection against illness and for finding husbands, and she is especially venerated by women and girls. Saint Paraskeva is usually depicted in the opening words of the Nicene Creed, or Symbol of Faith, written in Church Slavonic. It is a fundamental profession of Christian faith. The translation of the beginning of the text is: "I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth..." This text is typical of icons of Saint Paraskeva, where the scroll proclaims her unwavering faith for which she suffered martyrdom.