November 10 (October 28, old style) celebrates the day of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva Friday. The image of Paraskeva in the minds of the Slavs merged with the image of a woman and had the features of the Mother of God.
Saint Paraskeva (translated from Greek as "Friday") lived in the 3rd century. and decided to devote her life to serving God, taking a vow of celibacy. The pagans seized her and brought her to the ruler Aetius. Paraskeva underwent great torment: she was tortured with iron nails, and then she was thrown into prison all with her wounds. God helped Paraskeva to heal, but the executioners cut off her head.
On this day, they prayed for every woman's happiness. Paraskeva was considered the patroness of pregnant women. Paraskeva was also considered the patroness of cattle, she was prayed for from a cow's death and brought fruits to the church.
Paraskeva's name was associated with the land. It was considered a sin to disturb the earth on this day. In springs with clean spring water, which were called Friday, women threw money, handicraft items (thread, wool).
Since the XIV century. the Slavs had sculptural images of Paraskeva. She was presented in the form of a peasant woman in ponev and bast shoes or in oriental attire.
The icons of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa were placed at a crossroads, so very often the chapels along the roads were called Pyatnitsky chapels.
Paraskeva was revered as an organizer of marriages. On this day, the newlyweds necessarily performed the rite of treating their father-in-law and mother-in-law with jelly and butter.
Paraskeva was also considered the patroness of trade. There are known Friday bazaars, which were held on Wednesday or Friday.
